TLDR
- Ripple is set to acquire BC Payments Australia, enabling access to an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL)
- April 1, 2026 marks the anticipated closing date, accelerating Ripple’s entry into Australia’s regulated financial sector
- APAC payment processing volumes for Ripple saw close to 100% growth year-over-year in 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 has committed to participating in Project Acacia, Australia’s central bank-led digital asset infrastructure program
Ripple has outlined its strategy to obtain Australian financial services authorization through the acquisition of an established payments provider already holding the necessary credentials. This approach enables the crypto firm to deliver regulated digital asset payment solutions in Australia while bypassing lengthy application procedures.
The blockchain payments company revealed its intention to purchase BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, a corporate affiliate of the European Banking Circle Group. Through this transaction, Ripple gains immediate access to an Australian Financial Services License, which the organization identifies as critical for expanding its payment operations throughout the region.
April 1 has been set as the target completion date for this acquisition, according to statements from Fiona Murray, Ripple’s APAC managing director. Murray noted that “enough institutional interest in digital assets to warrant the investment” exists in the market.
Instead of pursuing a fresh AFSL application through traditional channels, Ripple opted for the acquisition strategy to expedite market entry. While this represents a more efficient pathway, the license transfer remains contingent upon successful deal closure.
Once the AFSL becomes operational, Ripple indicates it will possess capabilities to oversee complete payment workflows — encompassing client onboarding, regulatory compliance, funding operations, currency exchange, liquidity oversight, and final settlement — integrating conventional banking infrastructure with digital asset technology in a unified platform.
Current Australian clients leveraging Ripple Payments technology include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
APAC Expansion Metrics for Ripple
Ripple disclosed that its Asia-Pacific payment transaction volume experienced nearly 100% year-over-year growth during 2025, although precise numerical data was not disclosed. This regional expansion contributes to a significant company-wide achievement announced recently — surpassing $100 billion in cumulative processed transaction volume spanning 60 global markets.
The company has additionally committed to Project Acacia, a collaborative program administered by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, which concentrates on developing digital asset infrastructure frameworks.
Australia continues advancing its cryptocurrency regulatory architecture. The Digital Asset Framework legislation successfully passed the lower parliamentary chamber in February and currently awaits Senate consideration. ASIC, Australia’s securities regulator, has publicly stated it will postpone enforcement actions regarding licensing requirements until at minimum June 30, 2026.
Global Licensing Strategy
The Australian acquisition represents one component of Ripple’s comprehensive international licensing campaign. Throughout the past year, Ripple has obtained payment service authorizations in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The company also received preliminary approval for a national trust banking charter within the United States.
Ripple has pursued additional expansion through strategic acquisitions, including the purchase of Hidden Road — subsequently rebranded as Ripple Prime — establishing itself as the first cryptocurrency-native entity to operate a multi-asset prime brokerage. The company also acquired corporate treasury management platform GTreasury.
Murray expressed optimism that obtaining the AFSL could help mitigate crypto debanking challenges in Australia, where major financial institutions have implemented limitations on customer transactions with cryptocurrency exchanges. Australia’s four dominant banks — Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, National Australia Bank, and Westpac — have each established varying degrees of these transactional restrictions.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is similarly pursuing AFSL authorization in upcoming months.
XRP was valued at $1.38 at the time of the announcement, reflecting a 0.3% daily increase and 1.7% weekly gain.
