Ripple said on March 11 that it is seeking an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) as it pushes to expand regulated payment services in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region. The company said the move is designed to support financial institutions, fintech firms, and enterprises that want faster cross-border value transfers within established regulatory rules.
BC Payments Australia acquisition seen as the licensing route
According to the announcement, Ripple intends to obtain the AFSL through the proposed acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd. The transaction is still subject to completion of the standard closing process. Ripple said the structure would strengthen its ability to offer a licensed, end-to-end platform for moving funds globally.
If completed, the deal would give Ripple access to an existing AFSL instead of requiring a brand-new license application. That could let the company enter the regulated Australian market faster once the acquisition closes.
With the license in place, Ripple Payments would be able to manage the full transaction lifecycle, including onboarding, compliance, funding, foreign exchange, liquidity management, and final payout.
Australia named a key market in APAC expansion plans
Fiona Murray, Ripple’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, said licensing sits at the center of the company’s global compliance strategy. She said Australia is a key market for Ripple and that an AFSL would strengthen the company’s ability to scale Ripple Payments across the region.
Murray also said Ripple is focused on using blockchain technology and digital assets to help customers move value globally with greater speed, transparency, and reliability, while continuing to work closely with regulators.
APAC payment volume nearly doubled in 2025
Ripple said its APAC payments volume nearly doubled year over year in 2025, pointing to stronger regional demand for blockchain-based settlement infrastructure. The network works with institutions including Hai Ha Money Transfer, Novatti Group, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
Globally, Ripple said it holds more than 75 regulatory licenses. The company also takes part in Project Acacia, an initiative led by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre.