Ripple acquires BC Payments to secure its operating license in Australia

Expanding our APAC presence

Ripple has finalized an agreement to acquire BC Payments, an Australian-based provider of digital asset custody and payment services, with the aim of obtaining a full Australian Financial Services License (AFSL) and expanding its regulated presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

This acquisition, first reported by The Australian Financial Review and confirmed through brief statements from both companies on March 11-12, 2026, values ​​BC Payments at approximately AUD 45-65 million (USD 30-43 million), subject to performance-based payment milestones following the completion of the transaction and regulatory approval.

BC Payments Pty Ltd — a Sydney-based company — currently holds an AFSL license with the following powers:

• Providing financial services related to cryptocurrency exchange.

• Operating custody and e-wallet services.

• Facilitating cross-border payments and foreign exchange.

Once completed (expected in Q2-Q3 2026, subject to ASIC approval), Ripple will operate in Australia under its existing BC Payments license — avoiding the lengthy new licensing process that has delayed many global cryptocurrency companies in the country.

What Ripple could do with AFSL

The AFSL is a crucial legal license that allows companies to legally provide financial services within Australia's regulated financial system. Following the acquisition, Ripple will be able to expand its Ripple Payments platform in the domestic market and offer services such as payment processing, liquidity management, and foreign exchange settlements.

Ripple Payments is designed to manage the entire lifecycle of a transaction—including registration, compliance, funding, currency conversion, and settlement—while integrating both traditional banking systems and digital asset infrastructure.

The strategic importance of the Australian market

Australia is considered a key hub for fintech and cross-border payments in the Asia-Pacific region. The country has a well-developed legal framework and an advanced payments ecosystem, making it attractive to providers of blockchain-based financial infrastructure.

By acquiring AFSL, Ripple aims to strengthen payment corridors connecting Australia with other major markets across Asia and the global trade network.

Australia requires AFSL licenses for most cryptocurrency-related financial services (exchanges, custody, payments). Several global platforms (Binance, Coinbase) have faced restrictions or voluntarily withdrawn; Ripple's approach through acquisitions mirrors a strategy used by other companies (e.g., MoonPay acquiring locally licensed entities).

Our review

Ripple's acquisition of BC Payments is a prime example of a strategy to expand its legal reach – securing immediate access to operating licenses in a high-potential market without having to wait years for new licenses. With Australia's strong remittance inflows, growing institutional interest in cryptocurrencies, and a progressive (but stringent) regulatory framework, this move allows Ripple to capture a significant share of the Asia-Pacific regional payment infrastructure. For XRP holders, this is another concrete step toward practical utility – one regulated market per market. Expect more similar acquisitions from Ripple and its rivals as the global race for control of licensed cryptocurrency payment infrastructure intensifies.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is the author's personal opinion in the field of cryptocurrency. This is not financial or investment advice. All investment decisions should be based on careful consideration of your personal portfolio and risk tolerance. The views expressed in this article do not represent the official stance of the platform. We recommend that readers conduct their own research and consult with experts before making any investment decisions.

Compiled and analyzed by HCCVenture

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