TLDR
- Ripple is acquiring BC Payments Australia to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) through a strategic buyout
- Completion date is scheduled for April 1, 2026, enabling quicker entry into Australia’s compliant financial ecosystem
- Asia-Pacific payment processing volumes for Ripple increased nearly 100% compared to 2024, part of $100 billion total volume across six dozen markets
- At announcement time, XRP price stood at $1.38, showing daily gains of 0.3% and weekly increases of 1.7%
- Additionally, Ripple has committed to participating in Project Acacia, Australia’s central bank-led digital asset framework program
Ripple has chosen an acquisition strategy to obtain regulatory authorization in Australia, purchasing a payment processor that already possesses the necessary credentials. This approach allows the blockchain company to provide licensed cryptocurrency payment solutions in Australia without enduring lengthy application processes.
The San Francisco-based firm revealed its intention to purchase 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 executives identify as critical for expanding payment operations throughout the region.
Closing is scheduled for April 1, confirmed Fiona Murray, Ripple’s managing director for APAC. She emphasized that “enough institutional interest in digital assets to warrant the investment” exists in the market.
Instead of pursuing a direct AFSL application, Ripple opted to purchase an entity with existing licensing. This strategy provides accelerated market access, although regulatory approval remains contingent on successful deal completion.
Once the AFSL becomes operational, Ripple indicates it will handle complete payment workflows — encompassing customer onboarding, regulatory compliance, transaction funding, currency conversion, liquidity operations, and distribution — integrating conventional banking infrastructure with blockchain technology within a unified platform.
Current Australian clients utilizing Ripple Payments include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
Asia-Pacific Market Expansion
Ripple disclosed that its Asia-Pacific payment processing nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, though precise numbers were not provided. This expansion contributes to the company’s recently announced achievement of processing $100 billion in total volume spanning 60 global markets.
The company has also committed to Project Acacia, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, concentrating on developing digital asset infrastructure.
Australia continues developing its cryptocurrency regulatory structure. The Digital Asset Framework legislation cleared the House of Representatives in February and currently awaits Senate consideration. ASIC, the nation’s securities regulator, has announced 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 regulatory strategy. Throughout the past year, the company has obtained payment authorizations in Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. It has also received preliminary approval for a national trust banking charter within the United States.
Ripple has pursued growth through multiple acquisitions, including Hidden Road — subsequently renamed Ripple Prime — establishing itself as the first cryptocurrency-focused firm to operate a multi-asset prime brokerage. The company also purchased corporate treasury management platform GTreasury.
Murray expressed optimism that obtaining the AFSL could help combat crypto debanking practices in Australia, where leading financial institutions have implemented restrictions on customer transfers to cryptocurrency platforms. Australia’s four dominant banks — Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, National Australia Bank, and Westpac — have each established various forms of these limitations.
Cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase is similarly pursuing AFSL authorization in upcoming months.
XRP was trading at $1.38, up 0.3% on the day and 1.7% on the week at the time of the announcement.
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