Ripple announced plans to acquire BC Payments to secure an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), aiming to expand its regulated payments offering across the Asia-Pacific region. The company said its APAC payments volume nearly doubled year-over-year in 2025, and it already works with several Australian firms. Observers noted the license could be a template for crypto entering mainstream finance, though adoption depends on regulation, competition, and clear consumer advantages.
Ripple plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License through the acquisition of BC Payments. The move would place the crypto firm within Australia’s regulated financial services framework, as stated by Fiona Murray, managing director for Asia Pacific at Ripple.
The license allows Ripple to oversee settlement and manage the full cycle of cross-border transactions. It would also expand the company’s regulated footprint in Asia-Pacific and add to its more than 75 regulatory licences worldwide.
Ripple said its APAC payments volume nearly doubled year-over-year in 2025. The company already works with Australian firms including Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, and Independent Reserve.
The expansion raises a broader question for the sector about blockchain-based settlement in regulated payment flows. Industry observers weighed in on the license’s potential impact.
Kartik Swaminathan of Demether called the license a “game changer” and “a possible template of how crypto could enter mainstream usage.” He noted competition from multiple Australian stablecoin offerings is emerging, and distribution may decide the winner.
Securing an AFSL gives crypto payments a better shot at competing where traditional rails remain weakest, according to Joshua Murchie of Sympatheia. “It does not replace Australia’s domestic payment infrastructure tomorrow,” Murchie said, “But it does strengthen the case for regulated blockchain-based payment infrastructure.”
Jonathan Inglis of Protocol Theory noted the main risk for Australian consumers could be confusion around protections. He cited data showing 35% of adults in the country would be interested in crypto trading through their main bank, while 47% of non-users say better education would increase their willingness.
