Ripple Seeks Australian License as It Expands Regulatory Footprint

Ripple said it plans to obtain an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) through the acquisition of local firm BC Payments Australia, extending its regulated payments business in the Asia-Pacific region.

If approved, the license would allow Ripple to operate payment services in Australia under the country’s financial regulatory framework. The move adds to a broader set of licenses and registrations Ripple says it has secured in multiple jurisdictions as part of its international payments business.

A Broader Licensing Network

Ripple says the Australian approval would add to licenses it holds in several financial centers. These include an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license in Luxembourg, which allows passporting across the European Union, an EMI license and cryptoasset registration in the UK, a Major Payment Institution (MPI) license in Singapore, and authorisation in Abu Dhabi Global Market.

The company also holds several state-level trust charters in the United States and has previously received preliminary approval for a national trust bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.

Ripple said payment volumes in the Asia-Pacific region increased significantly in 2025. “Licensing is fundamental to Ripple’s strategy, ensuring we can deliver secure, compliant solutions to customers worldwide,” said Fiona Murray, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Ripple.

Industry Reaction

Some industry participants say the move reflects growing demand for regulated digital payment infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Jessica Gonzales, a fintech commentator, wrote on X that the Australian license could help expand Ripple’s cross-border payment services across APAC through a regulated framework.

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Ripple Seeks Australian Financial License to Expand APAC Payments

Ripple is pursuing an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) via the acquisition of BC Payments Australia. The move would expand Ripple Payments infrastructure and accelerate regulated cross-border payment… pic.twitter.com/NFmMu1H3ik

— Jessica Gonzales (@lil_disruptor) March 11, 2026

Others point to rising transaction activity in the region. Danny Lee, a community lead at fintech platform Flyblox, said the increase in payments volume suggests growing institutional interest in regulated blockchain-based payment systems.

What the License Means

If approved, the AFSL would allow Ripple to expand its local payments offering in Australia within an established regulatory framework. For financial institutions and fintech clients, Ripple says its licensed structure allows them to connect traditional payment systems with digital-asset settlement through a single service model.

Ripple has spent several years building out licenses across multiple jurisdictions as part of its international payments expansion.