#CryptoMarketWatch

Ripple’s expansion of stablecoin payments in Europe through its strategic partnership with AMINA Bank marks a major milestone for the integration of blockchain-based payments into the traditional financial system. Announced on December 12, 2025, this agreement represents Ripple Payments’ first direct bank integration in Europe, signaling a strong vote of confidence in regulated crypto infrastructure. AMINA, a Swiss-based crypto bank regulated by FINMA, will now enable its institutional and crypto-focused clients to access instant cross-border payments using Ripple USD (RLUSD) alongside other supported stablecoins. This development builds on AMINA’s earlier 2025 launch of global custody and trading services for RLUSD, creating a full-service ecosystem that spans custody, trading, and real-time payments within a compliant banking framework. By combining fiat rails with blockchain-based settlement, the partnership removes long-standing inefficiencies in traditional correspondent banking, such as high fees, slow settlement times, and limited operating hours, while allowing payments to move seamlessly across multiple currencies and jurisdictions. AMINA’s Product Director Myles Harrison emphasized that this integration has the potential to transform how stablecoin transactions are executed, particularly for institutions seeking speed, transparency, and regulatory certainty. Ripple’s UK and Europe Managing Director Cassie Craddock further highlighted that the collaboration reflects a broader trend of digital asset innovators being embedded directly into traditional finance, rather than operating alongside it. Strategically, this move significantly strengthens Ripple’s footprint in Europe at a time when regulatory clarity is improving, and it also provides renewed momentum for the XRP ecosystem by expanding real-world utility and enterprise adoption. Overall, the Ripple–AMINA partnership illustrates how regulated banks and blockchain networks are converging to create a more efficient, global payments infrastructure, setting a precedent for future stablecoin and cross-border payment solutions across Europe.