Key Takeaways
- Ripple is acquiring BC Payments Australia to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) through strategic purchase
- Target completion date for the transaction is April 1, 2026, enabling quicker market entry in Australia’s regulated financial sector
- Payment volumes across the APAC region for Ripple increased almost 100% compared to the previous year in 2025, part of $100 billion total transaction volume spanning 60 global markets
- At announcement time, XRP was valued at $1.38, showing gains of 0.3% over 24 hours and 1.7% across seven days
- The blockchain firm is simultaneously becoming a participant in Project Acacia, an Australia central bank-led digital asset infrastructure program
Ripple has chosen an acquisition strategy to obtain full financial licensing authorization in Australia, opting to purchase a payments firm that currently possesses the necessary regulatory approvals. This approach allows the blockchain company to deliver compliant cryptocurrency payment solutions in Australia more rapidly than traditional application processes would permit.
The blockchain payments provider revealed its intention to take over BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, a corporate subsidiary connected to the European-based Banking Circle Group. This transaction provides Ripple with immediate access to an Australian Financial Services License, which company officials identify as critical infrastructure for expanding payment operations throughout the region.
April 1 marks the anticipated closing date for the acquisition, as stated by Fiona Murray, who serves as Ripple’s APAC managing director. She emphasized that “enough institutional interest in digital assets to warrant the investment” exists in the market.
Instead of pursuing direct application for a new AFSL through regulatory channels, Ripple elected to acquire a company already holding the credential. This strategy provides accelerated market access, though licensing validity remains contingent upon successful deal completion.
Once the AFSL becomes operational, Ripple indicates it will be capable of overseeing complete payment workflows — encompassing customer onboarding, regulatory compliance procedures, funding operations, currency exchange services, liquidity oversight, and final settlement processes — integrating conventional banking infrastructure with digital asset capabilities within a unified platform.
Current Australian clients utilizing Ripple Payments services include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
Asia-Pacific Expansion Metrics
Ripple reported that payment transaction volumes throughout the APAC territory approximately doubled on a year-over-year basis during 2025, although exact numerical data was not disclosed. This regional expansion complements a larger achievement the company announced in recent days — reaching $100 billion in aggregate processed payment volume across 60 international markets.
The company has additionally joined Project Acacia, a collaborative program administered by the Reserve Bank of Australia in partnership with the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, dedicated to developing digital asset infrastructure frameworks.
Australia remains in active development of comprehensive cryptocurrency regulatory structures. 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 publicly committed to withholding enforcement measures regarding licensing requirements until at minimum June 30, 2026.
Global Licensing Strategy
The Australian acquisition represents one component of an extensive international licensing campaign. Throughout the past year, Ripple has obtained payment authorization credentials in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. The company has also received preliminary approval for a national trust banking charter within the United States.
Ripple has pursued additional expansion via corporate acquisitions, purchasing Hidden Road — subsequently rebranded as Ripple Prime — establishing itself as the first cryptocurrency-native organization to control a multi-asset prime brokerage operation. The firm also acquired GTreasury, a corporate treasury management platform.
Murray expressed optimism that obtaining the AFSL will help mitigate cryptocurrency debanking challenges affecting Australia, where leading financial institutions have implemented restrictions limiting customer transfers to digital asset exchanges. Australia’s four dominant banks — Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, National Australia Bank, and Westpac — have each enacted various forms of these limitations.
Cryptocurrency exchange platform 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% increase over the previous 24-hour period and 1.7% growth across the week.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
