Ripple President Monica Long Stirs Speculation Amid Top UK Official Linkup

Ripple President Monica Long announced hosting top U.K. official, Lucy Rigby, at the firm’s Singapore office to discuss the future of digital assets. This meeting aligns with the U.K.’s broader efforts to expand its global digital footprint. However, it has sparked speculation within the crypto community about growing government interest in blockchain technologies.

Lucy Rigby, serving as the U.K.’s Economic Secretary to the Treasury, plays a vital role in overseeing economic policies, financial regulations, and modernizing the financial sector. Her responsibilities also include promoting economic growth and addressing emerging technologies such as digital assets, which became a key focus of her recent discussions with Ripple.

Monica Long stated that the meeting with Rigby centered on boosting the U.K.'s competitiveness and growth using digital assets. Ripple believes the U.K. can build on its status as a global financial hub by adopting blockchain solutions. Monica shared on Twitter:

"Great to welcome the UK's Economic Secretary to the Treasury @LucyRigby at Ripple’s Singapore office to discuss how digital assets can boost the UK's competitiveness and growth, building on its status as one of the leading financial hubs of the world."

Hosting a senior U.K. official at Ripple’s Singapore office suggests an increasing level of government interest in blockchain and crypto technologies. These discussions reflect a form of soft diplomacy, where businesses aim to influence regulations and align with government objectives. The U.K.’s decision to discuss fintech with Ripple highlights the firm’s efficiency in global payments compared to traditional systems like SWIFT, especially in reducing costs and settlement times.

Ripple, known for navigating regulatory challenges like its U.S. SEC lawsuit, positions itself as a compliant and enterprise-focused player. The discussions with Rigby may help Ripple lobby for U.K.-friendly policies, potentially unlocking billions of dollars in economic value through faster and more efficient financial infrastructure.

The U.K. government is actively working to establish itself as a crypto hub under its Labour administration. Key initiatives include clearer stablecoin regulations, pilot programs for tokenized assets, and fostering innovation in digital assets to drive economic growth. In April 2025, Chancellor Rachel Reeves emphasized international cooperation, notably with the U.S., to ensure the U.K. remains competitive in the evolving digital asset space.

Although the U.K. has shown significant progress, crypto regulations remain under development, with plans to implement a full framework by 2026. Post-Brexit, the U.K. faces competition from global financial hubs like New York, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Embracing digital assets is viewed as a strategic opportunity to regain its competitive edge and solidify its position as a global leader in financial innovation.