Blockchain payments leader Ripple announced on Wednesday its intent to significantly scale its operations in the Asia-Pacific region by acquiring BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd. The deal, which is currently subject to completion, is a strategic move designed to secure an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL), CoinDesk said in a report.
By acquiring an existing license holder rather than undergoing the lengthy direct application process, Ripple aims to accelerate its market entry and provide a comprehensive suite of financial services under a single integration.
Once the acquisition is finalized, Ripple will be authorized to offer its full payments stack to the Australian market. This integrated solution covers critical financial operations including customer onboarding, regulatory compliance, funding, foreign exchange, liquidity management, and final payouts. The move is expected to streamline cross-border transactions for a growing list of Australian clients that already includes Hai Ha Money Transfer, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments, and Independent Reserve.
The push into Australia follows a period of explosive growth for the company in the region. Ripple reported that its Asia-Pacific payments volume nearly doubled year-on-year in 2025. This regional success contributes to the company’s global momentum; just last week, Ripple announced it had surpassed $100 billion in total processed volume, bolstered by the introduction of managed custody, virtual account collections, and stablecoin settlement capabilities across 60 international markets.
Beyond commercial expansion, Ripple is deepening its ties with Australian financial regulators and research bodies. The company confirmed its participation in Project Acacia, an initiative spearheaded by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC). This project focuses on developing robust digital asset infrastructure, signaling Ripple’s commitment to the long-term evolution of the country’s financial ecosystem.
Fiona Murray, Ripple’s Managing Director for Asia Pacific, emphasized the strategic importance of the territory in a recent statement. “Australia is a key market for Ripple, and an AFSL strengthens our ability to scale Ripple Payments across the region,” Murray noted. While the acquisition represents a faster path to regulatory approval, the company remains focused on the final closing of the deal to unlock its full operational potential in the Australian landscape.
