Ripple is moving to deepen its presence in Australia through an acquisition that would give the company access to a local financial services license, marking another step in its broader strategy of expanding through regulated infrastructure. The planned deal, expected to close on April 1, would allow Ripple to operate with an Australian Financial Services Licence at a time when regulatory compliance is becoming more important for crypto firms serving institutional clients.
Ripple targets April for Australian financial license via acquisition
Ripple said it plans to buy BC Payments Australia, a corporate entity linked to the European Banking Circle Group, in a transaction designed to secure access to an Australian Financial Services Licence, or AFSL. According to Cointelegraph, which cited comments from Ripple APAC managing director Fiona Murray and reporting from The Australian, the acquisition is set to close on April 1.
The move is significant because an AFSL is a core regulatory authorization for companies that provide certain financial services in Australia. ASIC, the country’s corporate and financial services regulator, oversees the licensing regime and has continued to modernize its application process, including the launch of a new digital portal for AFS licensees and applicants in 2025.
According to Fiona Murray, “Getting licensed was always part of our plan,” underscoring that the transaction is not simply opportunistic but part of Ripple’s longer-term regional strategy. Murray also said Australia is a key market for Ripple and that the license would strengthen the company’s ability to scale its payments business in the country.
Why Australia matters to Ripple
Australia has become an increasingly important market for digital asset firms seeking institutional growth in the Asia-Pacific region. The country combines a sophisticated financial sector, active cross-border payments demand, and a regulatory framework that, while strict, offers clearer pathways for licensed operators than some other jurisdictions. Ripple’s focus on enterprise payments makes that environment especially relevant.
Ripple’s stated goal is to use the AFSL to support Ripple Payments, its cross-border payments business. In its statement, the company said the license would allow it to manage more of the transaction lifecycle, including onboarding, compliance, funding, foreign exchange, liquidity management, and final payout, while integrating traditional banking rails with digital assets.
That matters for banks, payment providers, and corporate treasury teams that increasingly want blockchain-based settlement tools without stepping outside regulated channels. For Ripple, Australia offers a chance to expand services in a market where institutional demand for digital asset infrastructure appears to be growing, even as retail-facing crypto regulation remains under close scrutiny.
A license-first strategy through acquisition
The Australian transaction fits a pattern in Ripple’s global expansion strategy. Over the past several years, the company has repeatedly used acquisitions to add regulated capabilities and licenses rather than relying only on organic applications. In February 2024, Ripple announced its acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust Company, saying the deal would expand its portfolio of regulatory licenses. Ripple later said the closing of that acquisition added a limited purpose trust company regulated by the New York Department of Financial Services to its license base.
Ripple has also highlighted other regulated entities in its portfolio. The company said in 2024 that it and its subsidiaries held a New York BitLicense, nearly 40 U.S. money transmitter licenses, a Major Payment Institution license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and a Virtual Asset Service Provider registration with the Central Bank of Ireland.
This history gives context to the latest move. Rather than treating regulation as a barrier, Ripple appears to be treating licenses as strategic assets that can accelerate market entry, reassure institutional customers, and support new products in payments, custody, and tokenized finance. That approach may also help explain why the company is willing to pursue acquisitions in multiple jurisdictions.
The regulatory backdrop in Australia
Ripple’s Australian push comes as regulators continue to signal that crypto-related businesses may need an AFSL when their products or services fall within the financial services perimeter. ASIC has repeatedly taken enforcement action in cases involving crypto-linked offerings that it says were operated without the required license or with inadequate compliance structures.
In February 2026, ASIC said BPS Financial would pay A$14 million in penalties over the crypto Qoin Wallet matter after the Federal Court had found unlicensed conduct tied to issuing and advising on the product without holding an AFSL. ASIC Chair Joe Longo said the outcome sent a strong message to the crypto industry.
Earlier cases have reinforced the same theme. ASIC appealed aspects of the Finder Wallet decision in April 2024, and it has also pursued action involving other crypto companies that it alleges operated financial services businesses without an AFS licence. These cases do not define every crypto business model in Australia, but they show that licensing questions are central to the market.
For Ripple, that backdrop makes the acquisition more than a market-entry story. It is also a compliance story. Securing a licensed foothold could help the company serve institutional clients with greater certainty in a jurisdiction where regulators have shown they are willing to act against firms they believe fall short of licensing obligations.
What the deal could mean for stakeholders
For institutional customers, the most immediate implication is operational. If the acquisition closes as planned, Ripple could offer a more integrated payments stack in Australia under a local licensing framework. That may appeal to businesses seeking faster cross-border settlement, foreign exchange support, and digital asset-enabled liquidity tools without relying on fragmented providers.
For competitors, the development raises the bar on compliance. Crypto and fintech firms operating in Australia may face stronger pressure to demonstrate that their structures, disclosures, and licensing arrangements are fit for purpose. In a market where regulators are sharpening their focus, firms with established licenses may gain an advantage in winning enterprise business.
For policymakers and regulators, Ripple’s move may be read as evidence that clearer rules can attract investment. Australia has not always been seen as the easiest market for crypto companies, but a transparent licensing regime can still be a draw for firms that want to build for institutions rather than test regulatory boundaries. That does not remove debate over how digital assets should be supervised, but it does show that some companies are willing to invest in compliance-led expansion.
Risks and open questions
The transaction still needs to close, and the practical scope of what Ripple can do under the acquired license will depend on the terms of the AFSL and how the business is structured after completion. Acquiring a licensed entity can speed market entry, but it does not eliminate ongoing compliance obligations, reporting requirements, or ASIC oversight.
There is also a broader policy question. Australia continues to debate how crypto-specific regulation should evolve alongside existing financial services law. If the rules change, firms may need to adapt again, even if they already hold licenses under the current framework. Ripple’s own submissions to ASIC show that the company is actively engaged in those policy discussions.
Another open issue is market demand. Murray said there is enough institutional interest in digital assets to justify the investment, but the pace of adoption will depend on client readiness, macroeconomic conditions, and how quickly regulated blockchain-based payment products move from pilot programs to mainstream treasury and settlement workflows.
Conclusion
Ripple’s Australian Financial License via Acquisition Push reflects a broader shift in the digital asset industry: growth is increasingly tied to regulation, not just technology. By targeting an April closing for the purchase of BC Payments Australia, Ripple is seeking to secure a local AFSL at a time when Australia is tightening scrutiny of crypto-linked financial services and emphasizing licensing discipline.
If the deal closes on April 1 as expected, Ripple will strengthen its position in a strategically important Asia-Pacific market and add another regulated foothold to its expanding global network. The move could improve its ability to serve institutional clients in cross-border payments while signaling that compliance-led expansion is becoming a defining feature of the next phase of crypto industry growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ripple trying to do in Australia?
Ripple plans to acquire BC Payments Australia in a deal expected to close on April 1, giving it access to an Australian Financial Services Licence to support its local payments business.
Why is an Australian Financial Services Licence important?
An AFSL is required for certain financial services activities in Australia and is overseen by ASIC. It is a key regulatory authorization for firms operating in the country’s financial services sector.
Who said the deal is expected to close in April?
Cointelegraph reported, citing comments from Ripple APAC managing director Fiona Murray and reporting from The Australian, that the acquisition is set to close on April 1, 2026.
How does this fit Ripple’s broader strategy?
Ripple has previously used acquisitions to add regulated capabilities, including the 2024 acquisition of Standard Custody & Trust Company, which it said expanded its portfolio of licenses.
Why are crypto licenses under scrutiny in Australia?
ASIC has pursued multiple cases involving crypto-related businesses and has said some firms engaged in unlicensed conduct without holding an AFSL. Recent enforcement actions show the regulator is closely focused on compliance.
What could this mean for businesses using Ripple?
If the acquisition closes, Ripple may be able to offer a more integrated and locally regulated payments service in Australia, which could appeal to institutional clients seeking compliant cross-border payment solutions.
