Ripple’s European subsidiary, Ripple Payments Europe S.A., has started its operations following the activation of its Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) in Luxembourg.

The identifier, 2549000KEHDV2LWRRZ45, was issued on April 21, 2025, and is currently listed as active and compliant. The next renewal is due in April 2026.

The establishment of this legal presence signifies a significant step toward integrating Ripple’s operations within Europe’s regulated financial framework. This move also precedes the company’s application for an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) licence, a necessary requirement to operate under the EU’s upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory regime.

Ripple officials have confirmed their intention to fully comply with MiCA, which is set to become the foundational rulebook for crypto-assets across the European Economic Area (EEA). If granted the EMI licence, Ripple would be able to issue digital assets, including its planned RLUSD stablecoin, and provide regulated payment services in all 30 EEA countries.

Ripple eyes access to EU payments infrastructure

Ripple’s Luxembourg registration aligns with broader efforts by fintech and crypto firms seeking a regulatory foothold in jurisdictions that offer clarity and proximity to Europe’s financial institutions. Luxembourg, in particular, has emerged as a preferred base due to its capacity to accommodate MiCA requirements, such as reserve management rules for stablecoin issuers.

These regulations include holding 30% to 60% of reserves in bank deposits and spreading risk across multiple banking institutions. As part of these preparations, Ripple has appointed BNY as the custodian of the USD reserves backing RLUSD. This institutional arrangement is intended to satisfy regulatory standards around asset safeguarding.

In the past year, Ripple has expanded its European presence through operational and personnel changes. The company continues to support payment corridors in markets such as the United Kingdom and Portugal, offering services involving the euro, British pound, and XRP.

Ripple’s LEI registration is an important step toward ensuring traceability and compliance in cross-border financial operations. This move supports the company’s intent to become a regulated participant within the EU’s single market and is part of its long-term plan to integrate into the bloc’s digital finance ecosystem.