Sydney, Australia — March 11, 2026 — Ripple plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) as part of its strategy to expand its cross-border payments business across the Asia-Pacific region.
The licence will enable Ripple to offer regulated payment services to financial institutions, fintechs and enterprises in Australia, while strengthening its ability to scale operations across regional markets. The move comes amid growing demand for faster and more compliant cross-border payment infrastructure.
Acquisition to support regulatory expansion
Ripple intends to obtain the licence through the proposed acquisition of BC Payments Australia Pty Ltd, subject to regulatory approvals and completion processes. According to the announcement, this would allow the company to operate within Australia’s financial regulatory framework while expanding its payments offering.
With the licence in place, Ripple Payments is expected to manage the full lifecycle of transactions, including onboarding, compliance, funding, foreign exchange, liquidity management and final settlement. The platform integrates traditional banking systems with digital asset infrastructure, allowing clients to access both through a single interface.
The company said this structure is designed to reduce reliance on multiple intermediaries and simplify cross-border payment flows.
Focus on end-to-end payment infrastructure
Ripple said the licence would allow it to directly oversee settlement processes and connect customers to local payout partners. This is expected to improve transaction speed, increase transparency and reduce counterparty risks.
Clients would be able to access Ripple’s infrastructure through a single integration, without needing to manage underlying blockchain systems or multiple service providers. The company said this approach aims to streamline how institutions handle cross-border transactions, particularly in complex regional markets.
APAC growth and regulatory positioning
Ripple reported that its payments volume in Asia-Pacific nearly doubled in 2025, reflecting increasing adoption of digital payment infrastructure in the region. The company works with several Australian-based firms, including Hai Ha Money Transfer, Novatti Group, Stables, Caleb & Brown, Flash Payments and Independent Reserve.
The firm said it now holds more than 75 regulatory licences globally and continues to engage with regulators and policymakers across key markets. Ripple is also involved in initiatives such as Project Acacia, led by the Reserve Bank of Australia and the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre.
Digital Trade Outlook’s View: Ripple
Digital Trade Outlook Analysis
Ripple’s move to secure an Australian licence highlights the growing importance of regulatory alignment in scaling digital payment infrastructure. As cross-border payment models evolve, licensed platforms that combine traditional rails with digital assets are likely to play a larger role in trade flows, remittances and treasury operations across Asia-Pacific.
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