- Ripple is pursuing an Australian Financial Services License via the acquisition of BC Payments to expand its regulated payments services in the Asia-Pacific region.
- The company’s APAC payments volume nearly doubled year-over-year in 2025, and it already partners with several Australian firms.
- The move raises questions about the future integration of blockchain-based settlement into mainstream, regulated banking systems.
- Industry observers say the license is a potential “game changer” for crypto entering mainstream finance but note adoption depends on clear consumer and regulatory advantages.
Ripple announced Tuesday it plans to secure an Australian Financial Services License by acquiring BC Payments, aiming to embed its crypto payment platform within the country’s regulated financial framework. This strategic move, if approved, would allow the firm to manage the full lifecycle of cross-border transactions and significantly scale its operations across a key market.
The license would enable Ripple to oversee settlement and connect customers with local payout partners through a single integration. Consequently, the APAC payments volume for the company nearly doubled year-over-year in 2025, as confirmed in a recent statement.
Fiona Murray, managing director for Asia Pacific at Ripple, stated “Australia is a key market for Ripple,” and the license will strengthen the firm’s “ability to scale.” This expansion adds to Ripple’s portfolio of more than 75 regulatory licenses worldwide.
However, this growth prompts a critical sector question about whether blockchain-based settlement will appear directly in regulated payment flows. Local industry experts are weighing the license’s potential impact on mainstream crypto adoption.
Kartik Swaminathan of Demether called the license a “game changer” and “a possible template of how crypto could enter mainstream usage.” He cautioned, however, that regulatory views may be slow to crystallize into clear processes for the company to follow.
Joshua Murchie, founder of Sympatheia, noted the license gives crypto payments a better shot at competing in cross-border settlement and global liquidity. He clarified that it does not replace Australia’s already-strong domestic payment infrastructure immediately.
Meanwhile, a significant portion of Australian adults express interest in crypto services through their bank, according to consumer research. Jonathan Inglis of Protocol Theory highlighted that better education would increase willingness to engage for 47% of non-users.
✅ Follow BITNEWSBOT on Telegram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X.com, and Google News for instant updates.
