Key Highlights
- Ripple is acquiring BC Payments Australia to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL)
- The acquisition is scheduled to finalize on April 1, 2026, providing expedited entry into Australia’s regulated financial sector
- Payment volumes in the APAC region for Ripple grew by nearly 200% year-over-year during 2025, part of $100 billion processed globally across 60 jurisdictions
- At announcement time, XRP was valued at $1.38, showing daily gains of 0.3% and weekly increases of 1.7%
- Ripple will participate in Project Acacia, a digital asset infrastructure program spearheaded by Australia’s Reserve Bank
Ripple has opted for a strategic acquisition route to obtain regulatory approval in Australia, choosing to purchase an established payments operator that possesses the necessary licensing rather than pursuing a lengthy application process.
The blockchain payments firm revealed its intention to acquire BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary connected to Europe’s Banking Circle Group. This transaction provides Ripple with immediate access to an Australian Financial Services License, which the firm identifies as critical for expanding its payment operations throughout the region.
According to Fiona Murray, Ripple’s APAC managing director, the transaction should finalize by April 1. Murray noted that “significant institutional appetite for digital assets justifies this investment.”
Instead of submitting a fresh AFSL application, Ripple determined that acquiring a licensed entity would accelerate market entry, although final licensing remains contingent upon successful deal completion.
Once the AFSL becomes operational, Ripple will be positioned to oversee every stage of payment processing — encompassing client onboarding, regulatory compliance, funding operations, currency conversion, liquidity provision, and final settlement — integrating conventional banking infrastructure with digital asset capabilities.
Current Australian clients utilizing Ripple Payments include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
Asia-Pacific Expansion Momentum
Ripple disclosed that its payment processing volume in the Asia-Pacific region approximately doubled between 2024 and 2025, though precise figures were not provided. This regional expansion contributes to the company’s recently announced achievement of processing $100 billion in total transaction volume spanning 60 global markets.
Additionally, the company has enrolled in Project Acacia, a collaborative research program managed by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, dedicated to developing digital asset infrastructure.
Australia continues advancing its cryptocurrency regulatory structure. The Digital Asset Framework legislation successfully passed through the lower parliamentary chamber in February and currently awaits Senate consideration. ASIC, the nation’s securities regulator, has announced it will postpone enforcement actions regarding licensing requirements until no earlier than June 30, 2026.
Global Licensing Strategy
The Australian acquisition represents one component of Ripple’s comprehensive international licensing campaign. Throughout the past year, the company has obtained payment service authorizations in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Ripple also recently received preliminary approval for a national trust banking charter within the United States.
The company has pursued growth through multiple acquisitions, including Hidden Road — subsequently rebranded as Ripple Prime — establishing Ripple as the first cryptocurrency-native organization to operate a multi-asset prime brokerage. The firm additionally acquired corporate treasury management platform GTreasury.
Murray expressed optimism that obtaining the AFSL could help mitigate cryptocurrency debanking challenges in Australia, where leading financial institutions have implemented restrictions limiting customer transfers to digital currency exchanges. Australia’s largest banks — Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, National Australia Bank, and Westpac — have all established various forms of these limitations.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is similarly pursuing AFSL authorization in the upcoming months.
XRP was valued at $1.38 when the announcement was made, reflecting a 0.3% daily increase and 1.7% weekly gain.
