Absa Powers Up with Ripple-Backed Crypto Custody in Africa

Ripple's expansion into Africa continues to gain momentum as Absa Corporate and Investment Banking launches its digital asset custody service, powered by Ripple's technology. The new platform allows institutional clients to securely store and manage cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and XRP, along with tokenized real-world assets.

Absa Head of Digital Product, Custody Robyn Lawson stated that the bank chose Ripple's technology due to its high security and operational standards. This is not the first time Absa has partnered with Ripple, as they announced a partnership in October 2025, making Absa Ripple's first major custody partner in Africa.

The launch of Absa Digital Asset Custody marks an important milestone for XRP, as it puts Ripple's custody infrastructure directly within a major African banking group. With Absa managing over $119.5 billion in assets, this deal significantly expands Ripple's reach and capabilities in the region.