Ripple Targets Australian Financial Services License to Advance Blockchain Payments in APAC

TLDR:

• Ripple will acquire BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd to secure its Australian Financial Services License in 2026.
• The AFSL enables Ripple Payments to manage the full transaction lifecycle, from compliance to final payout settlement.
• Ripple’s APAC payments volume nearly doubled year-on-year in 2025, reflecting strong demand across the region.
• Ripple now holds over 75 regulatory licenses globally, making it one of the most licensed crypto firms worldwide.

Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) acquisition plans mark Ripple’s latest regulatory move in Asia Pacific. The blockchain payments company announced the strategy on March 11, 2026, in Sydney.

Ripple will obtain the license through a proposed acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd. The move enables Ripple to deliver a fully licensed, end-to-end payments platform. Financial institutions, fintechs, and enterprises in Australia are the primary targets of this expansion.

How Ripple Plans to Secure the AFSL

The AFSL acquisition proceeds through BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, a local entity. Standard completion processes must be finalized before the deal closes.

Once secured, the license covers the full lifecycle of a transaction. This includes onboarding, compliance, FX, liquidity management, and final payout.

Ripple Payments will integrate both traditional banking rails and digital assets under the license. Direct oversight of settlement becomes possible through this structure.

The company can also connect customers to local payout partners more efficiently. Transaction routing optimization adds further value to the platform.

Fiona Murray, Ripple’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, spoke directly on the development. “Licensing is fundamental to Ripple’s strategy, ensuring we can deliver secure, compliant solutions to customers worldwide,” she said.

She added that the AFSL “strengthens our ability to scale Ripple Payments across the region.” Murray further noted that the company remains “focused on working closely with regulators to support the next phase of growth for digital asset infrastructure.”

Ripple’s existing Australian customers include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Novatti Group, and Independent Reserve. Flash Payments, Caleb & Brown, and Stables also form part of that client base.

These partnerships reflect strong regional demand for Ripple’s infrastructure. APAC payments volume for the company nearly doubled year-on-year in 2025.

Ripple’s Regulatory Standing Across the APAC Region

Ripple’s AFSL pursuit builds on a broad global licensing strategy already in place. The company is among the most licensed crypto firms operating in the world today.

Few digital asset companies operate under this level of regulatory oversight. That standing gives Ripple an advantage as institutions modernize their payment systems.

The company also participates actively in Project Acacia. This initiative is led by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre.

Ripple works directly with regulators through the program to advance digital asset frameworks. Such engagement reflects a consistent commitment to policy collaboration across the region.

Murray also emphasized the role of blockchain technology in delivering results for customers. “By leveraging blockchain technology and digital assets, we enable customers to move value globally with greater speed, transparency, and reliability,” she stated.

That capability is central to Ripple’s regional growth plan. It also addresses a clear need among financial institutions shifting away from legacy infrastructure.

As institutions migrate from legacy technology to modern infrastructure, regulatory compliance grows in importance. Ripple’s licensing approach supports that transition directly.

The AFSL adds credibility to Ripple’s operations in Australia. The company continues expanding its regulated footprint to meet growing regional demand.