Ripple has announced plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) through its proposed acquisition of BC Payments, the Australian subsidiary of European payments and Fintech infrastructure provider Banking Circle.
The move is part of Ripple’s strategy to expand regulated operations in the Asia-Pacific region.
Launched in 2023, BC Payments provides fintechs and banks with cross-border payment solutions and global growth. The service targets challenges that local companies face at high speed, including limited access to clearing, settlement and international payment rails.
According to Fiona Murray, Regional Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple, AFSL will allow the company to enhance its payments platform in Australia, enabling financial institutions and businesses to transfer value across borders faster, more transparently and more efficiently while operating within the local regulatory framework.
“Licensing is central to Ripple’s strategy and ensures that we can provide secure and compliant solutions to customers around the world,” Murray said. “Australia is a key market for Ripple and AFSL strengthens our ability to expand Ripple payments across the region.”
With the license, Ripple Payments can control the end-to-end transaction process, including compliance, FX, liquidity management and final settlement, while integrating traditional banking rails with digital assets to streamline cross-border payments.
The planned acquisition, subject to standard closing processes, comes at a time when Ripple is seeing strong regional growth. In 2025, APAC Ripple’s payments will almost double per year.
With more than 75 global licenses, the company is among the most regulated digital asset companies, supporting its ability to scale modern payment and treasury infrastructure for institutions transitioning from legacy systems.
