Ripple Moves Toward Australian License With BC Payments Acquisition

Ripple stated on Tuesday that it is seeking an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) with the acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd. This strategic move would place the firm within Australia’s regulated financial services framework. 

If the license is approved, it would enable Ripple to operate payment services in Australia within the country’s financial regulatory framework. So far, Ripple has acquired licenses and registrations in multiple jurisdictions as part of the international payment business. 

Ripple is broadening its licensing network 

Ripple Labs Inc., a San Francisco-based blockchain technology company, has been broadening its global licensing network since 2025. Currently, the firm holds over 75 global licenses and money transmitter registrations, supporting fund transfers for banks and fintechs across regulated financial rails.

The Australian approval adds another regulated market to Ripple’s growing global list. This includes an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg, allowing passporting across the European Union, an EMI license and crypto asset registration in the UK, a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license in Singapore, and authorization in Abu Dhabi Global Market. 

Ripple also holds numerous state-level trust charters in the United States and received preliminary approval for a national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. 

The firm also noted that the payment volumes in the Asia-Pacific region increased significantly from the previous year. Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple, Fiona Murray, said, “Licensing is fundamental to Ripple’s strategy, ensuring we can deliver secure, compliant solutions to customers worldwide.”

Ripple’s Efforts to Acquire an Australian License 

On March 11, 2026, Ripple announced plans to acquire BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, the Australian subsidiary of the European fintech Banking Circle Group. 

The primary objective is to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). The transaction is expected to be completed on April 1. The license has become a requirement for some cryptocurrency companies to provide financial services in Australia. 

Ripple also stated that after obtaining the AFSL, its payment business can attain full process management in Australia, including customer access, compliance, fund settlement, foreign exchange, liquidity management, and final payments. This allows integrating traditional banking systems with digital asset networks for simplifying cross-border payments. 

What do analysts say? 

Industry analysts consider that Ripple’s move reflects growing demand for regulated digital service infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. If Ripple acquires the Australian license would help expand the firm’s cross-border payment services across APAC through a regulated framework. 

Analysts also say that the license could help crypto payment infrastructure gain ground within regulated finance. However, the adoption would depend on the regional regulation and competition. 

Final Thoughts 

According to reports, Australia has become a critical market for Ripple. Its payment volume has doubled in 2025 in the Asia-Pacific region. The new license acquisition comes after the Australian regulations – the Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025, which mandates that all crypto-related platforms obtain an AFSL by June 30, 2026. If Ripple acquires an existing licensed entity, Ripple will achieve compliance much more quickly than applying for a new license directly. It also allows the firm to manage the complete payment lifecycle, including onboarding, compliance, and fund settlement. The firm can also deploy its full payment suite in Australia, bridging the gap between digital assets for simplers and faster cross-border payments. 

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