APAC regulatory push in Australia

Regulatory expansion in Australia is emerging as a core pillar of Ripple AFSL strategy as the firm doubles down on licensed blockchain payments across Asia Pacific.

Ripple moves to secure Australian Financial Services License

On March 11, 2026, in Sydney, Ripple outlined plans to obtain an Australian Financial Services License through the proposed acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd. The deal, once standard completion processes are finalized, would give the company a fully regulated, end-to-end payments platform in Australia.

Under this structure, Ripple targets financial institutions, fintechs, and enterprises seeking compliant cross-border payment solutions. Moreover, the AFSL would allow the firm to control the full transaction journey, from onboarding to final settlement, within one integrated framework.

The license is expected to be secured in 2026, positioning Ripple to deepen its presence in a jurisdiction that is rapidly tightening rules around digital assets. That said, the transaction remains subject to local regulatory and corporate approvals before it can close.

How the BC Payments acquisition reshapes Ripple’s platform

Through the BC Payments acquisition, Ripple plans to bring the entire lifecycle of a payment under one regulated umbrella. This lifecycle covers customer onboarding, compliance checks, foreign exchange, liquidity management, and final payout to recipients in Australia and overseas.

Ripple Payments will be able to integrate traditional banking infrastructure with digital assets within the AFSL framework. As a result, the company can oversee settlement directly rather than relying solely on external intermediaries, which may improve control, transparency, and speed.

Moreover, the license structure enables Ripple to connect customers more efficiently with local payout partners, including banks and non-bank financial institutions. Optimized transaction routing is expected to reduce friction, and this could further enhance the competitiveness of Ripple’s cross-border payments offering in the region.

Operational impact and customer reach in Australia

Once the license is live, Ripple Payments should be able to manage compliance, reporting, and settlement from within a single regulated stack. This operational model aligns with the preferences of regulated institutions that must meet strict obligations under Australian law.

In practice, the ripple afsl framework will support both fiat-linked payment flows and those using digital assets for liquidity and settlement. However, the company has emphasized that all such services must remain fully compliant with local regulations and risk standards.

Existing Australian customers demonstrate the traction of Ripple’s infrastructure. Clients already include Hai Ha Money Transfer, Novatti Group, and Independent Reserve. Additionally, Flash Payments, Caleb & Brown, and Stables form part of the local customer base, illustrating broad engagement across remittances, exchanges, and fintech platforms.

Growth in APAC payments volume and regional demand

These partnerships reflect expanding demand for Ripple’s technology in Asia Pacific. Notably, the company’s APAC payments volume nearly doubled year-on-year in 2025, signaling accelerating institutional adoption of blockchain-based payment solutions across the region.

Moreover, the near-doubling of volumes underscores how financial institutions are actively seeking alternatives to legacy payment rails. Faster settlement, improved transparency, and liquidity efficiency remain key decision factors for banks, money transfer operators, and fintechs.

Fiona Murray, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple, highlighted this momentum, stating that licensing is fundamental to the company’s strategy. According to Murray, regulatory approvals ensure Ripple can deliver secure and compliant solutions to customers worldwide, which is increasingly vital as digital asset markets mature.

Executive perspective on scaling Ripple Payments

Murray noted that the AFSL strengthens Ripple’s ability to scale Ripple Payments across the region. She emphasized the importance of working closely with regulators to support the next phase of growth for digital asset infrastructure, particularly as demand rises from banks and enterprises.

Furthermore, Murray underlined how blockchain technology and digital assets enable customers to move value globally with greater speed, transparency, and reliability. That capability, combined with a strong licensing base, forms the backbone of Ripple’s regional growth strategy.

As institutions migrate away from legacy systems, they are increasingly sensitive to compliance and operational risk. Ripple’s approach, which combines technological innovation with formal licensing, is designed to meet these evolving expectations in markets like Australia.

Ripple’s broader regulatory strategy in APAC

Ripple’s pursuit of an AFSL slots into a wider, long-term ripple regulatory strategy in APAC and beyond. Globally, the company now holds over 75 regulatory licenses, making it one of the most licensed crypto-focused firms operating today.

However, few digital asset companies operate under such comprehensive oversight. This breadth of approvals gives Ripple an advantage as financial institutions modernize their payment systems and seek counterparties that can demonstrate robust governance and compliance.

In Australia, Ripple also plays an active role in Project Acacia, led by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre. Through this initiative, the company collaborates with regulators and industry participants to advance policy frameworks for digital assets and emerging payment infrastructure.

Regulatory engagement and blockchain integration

Project Acacia illustrates how Ripple combines commercial activity with policy collaboration. By working directly with regulators, the company contributes to the design of future digital asset frameworks, while gaining insight into supervisory expectations across Asia Pacific.

Moreover, this engagement reinforces Ripple’s reputation as a partner willing to operate within regulated boundaries. That stance can be a differentiator as more institutions migrate from experimental pilots to production-scale blockchain deployments.

The focus on formal licensing becomes more important as legacy infrastructure is replaced. In this context, the Australian Financial Services License offers additional credibility to Ripple’s operations and supports long-term adoption of blockchain-based payments.

Outlook for Ripple’s Australian and APAC expansion

Ripple’s APAC strategy is increasingly defined by regulated growth, institutional partnerships, and collaboration with public authorities. The AFSL, once finalized via BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, would deepen the firm’s foothold in a market that is central to its Asia Pacific roadmap.

Additionally, the combination of a strong client base, rising transaction volumes, and more than 75 global licenses puts Ripple in a favorable position as regulatory standards tighten. Institutions seeking compliant digital asset infrastructure may find this mix attractive when selecting long-term partners.

In summary, the proposed AFSL acquisition, growing regional payments volume, and active role in initiatives like Project Acacia collectively signal Ripple’s intention to be a leading, fully licensed provider of blockchain payments solutions in Australia and across APAC.