The integration of blockchain technology into national infrastructure projects is no longer a speculative vision—it’s becoming reality. Nowhere is this shift more evident than in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, where the ambitious Trojena development within NEOM is pioneering a fully programmable economy powered by Ripple, the XRP Ledger, and tokenized real-world assets.
This next-generation mountain destination isn’t just being built for tourism or sport—it's being architected as a living lab for decentralized finance (DeFi), smart energy systems, and blockchain-based property ownership. With Ripple at the core, the region is setting a new benchmark for how digital assets can streamline cross-border transactions, reduce costs, and enable fractional investment on a global scale.
The Vision Behind Trojena: More Than a Desert Ski Resort
Trojena, nestled in the mountains of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM megacity, has drawn global attention as the host of the 2029 Winter Olympics. But its significance extends far beyond sports. Designed as a model smart city, Trojena integrates blockchain, renewable energy, and tokenized assets into a unified, programmable economic framework.
At the heart of this transformation is Ripple’s technology stack, including RippleNet and the open-source XRP Ledger (XRPL). These tools are enabling real-time settlements, automated smart contracts, and frictionless cross-border payments—critical components for attracting international investors and residents.
The project aligns with broader Gulf-region initiatives to digitize national economies. The UAE, for instance, has already launched its central bank digital currency (CBDC) pilot—the Digital Dirham—with full adoption mandated for all financial institutions by 2026. This regulatory push creates a fertile environment for blockchain integration across sectors.
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XRP Ledger Powers Real Estate Innovation in Dubai
One of the most impactful implementations of Ripple’s technology is unfolding in Dubai, where a government-backed pilot is leveraging the XRP Ledger to revolutionize property transactions.
Traditionally, real estate deals involve multiple intermediaries—lawyers, banks, title registrars—leading to high fees and delays. In Dubai, the XRP Ledger is cutting transaction costs by nearly 50% while reducing settlement times from days to seconds.
Through instant settlement and tokenization, properties can now be divided into fractional shares. This opens luxury real estate in areas like Trojena to a broader investor base. Instead of requiring millions to buy an entire villa, investors can purchase micro-shares using stablecoins like USDC or EURC, with XRP acting as the bridge currency for fast, low-cost conversions.
These tokenized assets are recorded on-chain, ensuring transparent, immutable ownership records. Smart contracts automate rental income distribution, maintenance billing, and even voting rights for community decisions—ushering in a new era of programmable real estate.
Zand Bank and the Rise of Regulated Stablecoins
Financial innovation in the region isn’t limited to infrastructure—it’s also happening at the institutional level. Zand Bank, the UAE’s first fully digital bank, has launched a Dirham-pegged stablecoin under full regulatory oversight. This move signals growing confidence in blockchain-based finance within traditional banking circles.
In addition to issuing its own stablecoin, Zand Bank has integrated RippleNet and partnered with Taurus, a leading digital asset custody platform, to support XRP-based asset custody. This combination allows the bank to offer secure, compliant services for digital asset holders while maintaining interoperability with global financial networks.
By anchoring digital assets to regulated fiat currencies and leveraging Ripple’s compliant cross-border rails, Zand Bank is helping bridge the gap between legacy finance and the decentralized future.
Global Access to Luxury Assets via XRP
One of Trojena’s most compelling features is its accessibility. Thanks to RippleNet’s regulated corridors and XRP’s liquidity layer, investors from Europe, Asia, and beyond can seamlessly participate in the region’s growth.
Here’s how it works:
- A buyer in Germany uses EURC to purchase a fractional share of a Trojena property.
- The transaction is routed through RippleNet, where XRP provides instant liquidity.
- Settlement occurs in seconds, with ownership recorded on the XRP Ledger.
- Rental income or resale proceeds are automatically distributed via smart contracts.
This model eliminates traditional barriers—currency conversion delays, high remittance fees, and legal complexity—making high-value asset investment more inclusive.
Moreover, XRP’s low transaction cost (less than $0.01 per transfer) makes microtransactions viable, enabling new business models like pay-per-use facilities or dynamic pricing for energy and utilities.
Real-Time Energy Markets on Blockchain
Beyond real estate, Trojena is pioneering a blockchain-powered energy grid managed by ENOWA, NEOM’s master utility provider. The system runs entirely on renewable sources—solar, wind, and green hydrogen—and uses direct current (DC) converter technology for greater efficiency.
What sets it apart is its programmability. Energy pricing adjusts in real time based on demand and supply, with prices settled instantly via blockchain. Residents and businesses can trade surplus energy peer-to-peer using smart contracts, with transactions cleared through XRP or stablecoins.
For example:
- A hotel generates excess solar power during peak hours.
- It automatically sells the surplus to nearby residences via a smart contract.
- Payment is settled instantly in XRP or a local stablecoin.
This creates a self-sustaining ecosystem where energy becomes a tradable digital asset—another pillar of the programmable economy.
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XRP Price Trends Reflect Growing Institutional Confidence
As these real-world use cases expand, market sentiment around XRP continues to strengthen. According to CoinGecko, XRP was trading at $2.33 as of mid-2025, reflecting a 0.52% gain over 24 hours and a 3.30% increase over seven days.
While price movements are influenced by many factors, analysts note that Ripple’s growing partnerships in regulated markets—particularly in the Middle East—are contributing to long-term confidence. Unlike speculative crypto narratives, XRP’s value is increasingly tied to tangible utility: faster settlements, lower costs, and interoperability with traditional financial systems.
This shift positions XRP not just as a digital asset, but as critical infrastructure for next-generation economies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Trojena’s connection to Ripple?
A: Trojena leverages Ripple’s XRP Ledger and RippleNet for blockchain-based property transactions, energy settlements, and cross-border payments, forming the backbone of its programmable economy.
Q: Can foreigners invest in Trojena properties using cryptocurrency?
A: Yes. Through tokenization and RippleNet integration, global investors can buy fractional property shares using stablecoins like USDC or EURC, with XRP facilitating fast settlement.
Q: Is the Digital Dirham already in use?
A: The Digital Dirham is currently in pilot phase and is expected to launch publicly by 2025, with mandatory adoption for all UAE financial institutions by 2026.
Q: How does XRP reduce real estate costs in Dubai?
A: By enabling instant settlement via the XRP Ledger, the technology eliminates intermediaries and reduces processing time and fees—cutting transaction costs by up to 50%.
Q: What role does Zand Bank play in this ecosystem?
A: Zand Bank issues a regulated Dirham-backed stablecoin and supports XRP-based digital asset custody through RippleNet and Taurus integration.
Q: Is XRP used only for payments in this project?
A: No. XRP serves as a liquidity bridge for cross-border transactions, supports smart contract settlements, and enables microtransactions for energy trading and fractional ownership models.
The Future of Programmable Economies
The convergence of blockchain, renewable energy, and tokenized assets in Trojena represents a blueprint for future cities worldwide. With Ripple’s infrastructure enabling seamless value transfer across borders and sectors, the Gulf region is emerging as a leader in digital economic innovation.
As more governments explore CBDCs and tokenized real-world assets (RWAs), Ripple’s role—as both a technological enabler and compliance partner—will likely expand further.
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The era of programmable economies is no longer theoretical. It’s being coded into existence—one smart contract at a time.