# Australia crypto regulation From the Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center. Cite as: Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center, "Australia crypto regulation", reviewed 2026-10-05, https://policy.4pillars.io/australia. Free to reuse with attribution: cite "Four Pillars Asia Digital Asset Policy Center" and link to the page the fact comes from (each market has its own URL), and to the primary source where one is given. Terms: https://policy.4pillars.io/developers#attribution Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/australia Region: Oceania. Last reviewed: 2026-10-05. > An early AML registrant for crypto exchanges that is now pulling platforms, stablecoins and tokenisation into full financial services law. Australia was quick to bring crypto exchanges under anti-money laundering law: from 3 April 2018, digital currency exchanges had to register with AUSTRAC. But registration was a financial crime check, not a conduct licence. For years the main consumer protection came from ASIC arguing, case by case, that particular crypto products were financial products, while exchanges could hold unlimited client assets with no custody rules. The 2022 collapses, including FTX's Australian arm, showed what that gap could cost. The turning point came through the courts and Parliament at the same time. ASIC won an A$8 million penalty against Kraken operator Bit Trade in December 2024, A$14 million against BPS Financial over its Qoin wallet in January 2026 and A$10 million against Binance Australia Derivatives in March 2026. In June 2026 the High Court ruled 7-0 that Block Earner's fixed-yield Earner product was a financial product. Meanwhile, Treasury's March 2025 digital asset statement led to the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026, which passed Parliament on 1 April 2026. Today the rules run on two tracks. Since 31 March 2026, AUSTRAC regulates virtual asset service providers (VASPs), a wider category that now covers crypto-to-crypto trading, custody and transfers, with a public register and the Travel Rule. AUSTRAC has opened supervisory campaigns into 63 firms and took Cryptolink's 96 crypto ATMs offline in August 2026. On the conduct side, ASIC's October 2025 guidance treats stablecoins, wrapped tokens and tokenised securities as financial products, its no-action relief for unlicensed firms ended on 30 September 2026, and the new Act adds digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms as licensed products from April 2027. For builders, Australia is open to retail users, and spot crypto ETFs already trade on the ASX, but a licence is now the price of entry. Exchanges need AUSTRAC registration and, increasingly, an Australian financial services licence; platforms holding under A$5,000 per customer and A$10 million a year in transactions are exempt. Stablecoin issuers can distribute through exchanges under ASIC class relief, but the payments licensing bill that would treat them as stored-value facilities is still in draft. Investors face a tax change too: for gains accruing from 1 July 2027, individuals lose the 50% capital gains discount in favour of cost base indexation, and resident individuals face a 30% minimum tax on capital gains. On the wholesale side, the RBA's Project Acacia tested 20 tokenised market use cases and is now consulting on giving stablecoin issuers access to central bank settlement. ### Snapshot - Exchange licensing: Partial. AUSTRAC VASP registration plus AFSLs for financial-product tokens; platform licensing starts April 2027 - Stablecoin regime: Developing. Treated as non-cash payment facilities needing an AFSL; stored-value facility law is still in draft - Tokenisation & RWA: Partial. Tokenised securities sit under existing law; Project Acacia tested 20 wholesale use cases in 2025-26 - Retail access: Comprehensive. Retail buys freely on AUSTRAC-registered exchanges and via spot crypto ETFs listed on the ASX - Tax clarity: Comprehensive. Disposals trigger CGT; a 2026 law swaps the 50% discount for indexation and a 30% minimum tax from July 2027 ### Quick answers **Is crypto legal in Australia?** Yes. Individuals can buy and sell crypto onshore through licensed providers. Retail buys freely on AUSTRAC-registered exchanges and via spot crypto ETFs listed on the ASX. Four Pillars rates retail access in Australia as comprehensive (reviewed 5 Oct 2026). **Who regulates crypto in Australia?** Six authorities shape crypto rules in Australia. ASIC (Australian Securities and Investments Commission): licenses financial services and markets, including digital asset platforms and financial-product tokens. AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre): AML/CTF regulator that registers and supervises virtual asset service providers. Treasury (The Treasury): designs digital asset platform and payments licensing legislation, including stablecoin rules. RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia): central bank running tokenised money research, including Project Acacia and CBDC policy. ATO (Australian Taxation Office): tax authority that sets out capital gains and income tax treatment of crypto assets. **Do crypto exchanges need a licence in Australia?** Yes, though the regime is narrow or still phasing in. AUSTRAC VASP registration plus AFSLs for financial-product tokens; platform licensing starts April 2027. The main licences are Virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration from AUSTRAC; Australian financial services licence (AFSL) for digital asset financial products from ASIC; and AFSL authorisation to operate a digital asset platform or tokenised custody platform from ASIC. Four Pillars rates exchange licensing in Australia as partial (reviewed 5 Oct 2026). **Are stablecoins regulated in Australia?** Not fully yet: the regime is being built. Treated as non-cash payment facilities needing an AFSL; stored-value facility law is still in draft. The most recent official text is Payments licensing reforms (The Treasury, 12 Mar 2026, consultation). Four Pillars rates its stablecoin regime in Australia as developing (reviewed 5 Oct 2026). **How is crypto taxed in Australia?** Top marginal rate incl. Medicare levy; 50% CGT discount after 12 months until 30 June 2027, then cost base indexation and a 30% minimum tax on gains. Four Pillars rates tax clarity in Australia as comprehensive (reviewed 5 Oct 2026). **Can real-world assets be tokenised in Australia?** Yes, though the regime is narrow or still phasing in. Tokenised securities sit under existing law; Project Acacia tested 20 wholesale use cases in 2025-26. Four Pillars rates tokenisation and real-world assets in Australia as partial (reviewed 5 Oct 2026). **What changed most recently in Australia's crypto rules?** 30 Sep 2026: ASIC no-action relief for digital asset firms expired. Firms needing a licence had to apply by this date; ASIC had recorded over 45 applications since October 2025. 26 Jun 2026: Tax Reform No. 1 Act received Royal Assent. For gains accruing from 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount for individuals gives way to cost base indexation, plus a 30% minimum tax for residents. **What should companies watch next in Australia?** ASIC enforcement after its no-action relief ended on 30 September 2026: firms dealing in financial-product tokens without a licence or pending application face penalties. Digital asset platform regime starts April 2027: ASIC will consult on asset-holding, transactional and settlement standards and a new regulatory guide. Payments licensing bill: Treasury's Tranche 1 draft (consultation closed 9 April 2026) would regulate stablecoin issuers and wallets as stored-value facilities; not yet introduced. ### Key numbers - 45+ Digital asset licence applications lodged with ASIC since October 2025 (as of 2026-09-02) - 63 Crypto businesses in AUSTRAC's 2026 supervisory campaigns (36 OTC desks, 27 exchanges) (as of 2026-05-08) - A$5,000 Per-customer cap for the small platform exemption, alongside A$10m a year in transactions (as of 2026-04-08) - 20 Wholesale tokenised asset use cases tested in RBA Project Acacia (as of 2026-05-18) ### What to watch - ASIC enforcement after its no-action relief ended on 30 September 2026: firms dealing in financial-product tokens without a licence or pending application face penalties. - Digital asset platform regime starts April 2027: ASIC will consult on asset-holding, transactional and settlement standards and a new regulatory guide. - Payments licensing bill: Treasury's Tranche 1 draft (consultation closed 9 April 2026) would regulate stablecoin issuers and wallets as stored-value facilities; not yet introduced. - RBA consultation closing 30 October 2026 on RITS access for stablecoin issuers and the design of tokenised central bank reserves. ### Regulators - **ASIC**, Australian Securities and Investments Commission: Licenses financial services and markets, including digital asset platforms and financial-product tokens. Australia's corporate, markets and financial services regulator under the Corporations Act: it licenses financial services firms and markets and enforces conduct and disclosure law. Its October 2025 INFO 225 update treats many stablecoins, wrapped tokens and tokenised securities as financial products needing an AFSL; no-action relief ended on 30 September 2026. It won penalties against Bit Trade, BPS Financial and Binance Australia Derivatives, and licenses platforms from April 2027. - **AUSTRAC**, Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre: AML/CTF regulator that registers and supervises virtual asset service providers. Australia's financial intelligence unit and AML/CTF regulator: it supervises reporting entities' compliance and turns their reports into intelligence for law enforcement. Registered digital currency exchanges from April 2018. Since 31 March 2026 it registers a wider class of VASPs covering crypto-to-crypto trading, custody and transfers, with the Travel Rule. It opened campaigns into 63 firms and suspended Cryptolink's registration in August 2026. - **Treasury**, The Treasury: Designs digital asset platform and payments licensing legislation, including stablecoin rules. The government's central economic department: it advises ministers on economic, tax and financial policy and prepares the legislation that sets financial sector rules. Its March 2025 digital asset statement led to the Digital Assets Framework Act 2026, passed on 1 April 2026. It is also drafting payments licensing law that would regulate stablecoin issuers and wallets as stored-value facilities. - **RBA**, Reserve Bank of Australia: Central bank running tokenised money research, including Project Acacia and CBDC policy. Australia's central bank: it sets monetary policy, issues banknotes, runs the RITS settlement system and oversees payment systems and financial stability. With the DFCRC it ran Project Acacia, reporting on 20 wholesale tokenised asset use cases in May 2026. It sees no clear public interest case for a retail CBDC and is consulting until 30 October 2026 on RITS access for stablecoin issuers. - **ATO**, Australian Taxation Office: Tax authority that sets out capital gains and income tax treatment of crypto assets. The federal tax authority: it collects income tax, GST and other federal taxes, administers superannuation rules and issues guidance on how tax law applies. Treats crypto held as an investment under capital gains tax: disposals trigger CGT, with a 50% discount after 12 months until indexation replaces it for gains from 1 July 2027. A 2023 law confirms bitcoin is not foreign currency. Guidance covers DeFi, wrapping and records. - **APRA**, Australian Prudential Regulation Authority: Prudential regulator of banks, insurers and super funds, including their crypto-asset exposures. The prudential regulator of banks, insurers and superannuation funds: it sets capital, liquidity and risk management standards to keep them financially sound. Its April 2022 letter set risk management expectations for banks, insurers and super funds dealing with crypto-assets, with a roadmap to Basel-aligned rules. Treasury's draft payments law would give it powers over major stored-value facility providers. ### Licences #### Virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration - Regulator: AUSTRAC - Legal basis: AML/CTF Act 2006, Part 6A (as amended by the AML/CTF Amendment Act 2024) - Covers: Exchanging crypto for money or other crypto, safekeeping virtual assets, transferring them for customers, and services tied to token offers. - Requirements: Registration before providing any virtual asset service; operating unregistered is an offence; AML/CTF program, compliance officer, customer due diligence and staff training; Suspicious matter and threshold transaction reporting to AUSTRAC; Travel Rule data on virtual asset transfers under the AML/CTF Rules 2025; AUSTRAC can refuse, suspend, cancel or impose conditions on registration - Notable holders: CoinSpot (Casey Block Services), Swyftx, Independent Reserve, BTC Markets, CoinJar, Kraken (Bit Trade), Coinbase Australia, Crypto.com (Foris DAX AU) - Official register: - Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/australia/licences#lic-1 #### Australian financial services licence (AFSL) for digital asset financial products - Regulator: ASIC - Legal basis: Corporations Act 2001, Chapter 7 (as applied in INFO 225) - Covers: Dealing in, advising on, making a market in or holding tokens that are financial products, such as stablecoins, wrapped tokens, yield products and tokenised securities. - Requirements: Hold an AFSL or act as an authorised representative; the deadline to apply under ASIC's no-action position passed on 30 September 2026, and only firms that met its conditions remain covered; Financial requirements and responsible managers under RG 166 and RG 105; Custody standards for client assets, with omnibus accounts allowed under conditions since December 2025; Target market determinations under the design and distribution obligations; Internal dispute resolution and AFCA membership for retail clients - Official register: - Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/australia/licences#lic-2 #### AFSL authorisation to operate a digital asset platform or tokenised custody platform - Regulator: ASIC - Legal basis: Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 - Covers: Holding digital tokens for clients on a platform, or issuing tokens that each represent a real-world asset held in custody. - Requirements: AFSL with a condition authorising the platform, from April 2027; Platform rules plus ASIC asset-holding and transactional and settlement standards; Financial requirements set by ASIC, similar to RG 166; Exemption for platforms under A$10m a year in transactions and A$5,000 per client, after notifying ASIC; Existing operators must apply within six months of commencement to keep operating while ASIC decides - Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/australia/licences#lic-3 #### AFSL for stablecoin issuers (non-cash payment facility), with stored-value facility licensing proposed - Regulator: ASIC - Legal basis: Corporations Act 2001; draft payments licensing legislation (Treasury) - Covers: Issuing fiat-backed stablecoins, which ASIC treats as non-cash payment facilities, and distributing them through exchanges. - Requirements: AFSL authorising the issue of a non-cash payment facility, with a product disclosure statement for retail clients; Distributors of named or eligible stablecoins are exempt from separate AFS, market and clearing licences; Proposed: graduated stored-value facility regime with safeguarding of payment-related money; Proposed: APRA supervisory powers over major stored-value facility providers - Notable holders: Catena Digital (AUDM), Forte Securities Australia (AUDF) - Official register: - Page: https://policy.4pillars.io/australia/licences#lic-4 ### Timeline - 2018-04-03: Digital currency exchange registration began. Exchanges converting crypto to and from fiat had to register with AUSTRAC and run AML/CTF programs. - 2024-12-10: AML/CTF Amendment Act 2024 received Royal Assent. The Act set 31 March 2026 for virtual asset reforms and 1 July 2026 for new tranche two sectors. - 2025-03-21: Government released its digital asset statement. Treasury set out plans for digital asset platform rules and payment stablecoin regulation. - 2025-10-29: ASIC updated INFO 225. ASIC said many stablecoins, wrapped tokens and tokenised securities are financial products and granted sector-wide no-action relief. - 2025-11-26: Digital Assets Framework Bill introduced. The bill created digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms as new financial products. - 2026-01-27: BPS Financial ordered to pay A$14 million. The Federal Court penalised unlicensed conduct and misleading claims over the Qoin wallet. - 2026-03-31: Virtual asset AML reforms took effect. DCE registration became VASP registration, covering crypto-to-crypto exchange, custody and transfers. - 2026-04-08: Digital Assets Framework Act received Royal Assent. Passed on 1 April 2026, the Act starts 12 months after assent (8 April 2027 under its commencement table), with a six-month window to apply for a licence. - 2026-05-18: Project Acacia findings released. The RBA and DFCRC reported on 20 use cases settled with stablecoins, deposit tokens and pilot wholesale CBDC. - 2026-06-17: High Court ruled for ASIC in Block Earner. A unanimous court held the Earner yield product was a financial product needing a licence. - 2026-06-26: Tax Reform No. 1 Act received Royal Assent. For gains accruing from 1 July 2027, the 50% CGT discount for individuals gives way to cost base indexation, plus a 30% minimum tax for residents. - 2026-09-30: ASIC no-action relief for digital asset firms expired. Firms needing a licence had to apply by this date; ASIC had recorded over 45 applications since October 2025. ### Primary sources - [AUSTRAC removes 45 businesses as scrutiny intensifies on high-risk payments](https://www.austrac.gov.au/news-and-media/article/austrac-removes-45-businesses-scrutiny-intensifies-high-risk-payments). Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), 2026-09-07, guidance. AUSTRAC cancelled, suspended or refused to renew 45 remittance and virtual asset service provider registrations over the past year, including GetCoins, a crypto business allegedly exploited by investment scams. - [Retail Central Bank Digital Currency in the Australian Context: An Update](https://www.rba.gov.au/payments-and-infrastructure/tokenised-money/pdf/retail-cbdc-position-paper-sep-2026.pdf). Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and The Treasury, 2026-09-03, guidance. Reaffirms that there is currently no clear public interest case for a retail CBDC in Australia, after public focus groups found little demand. - [The Role of RITS in Supporting Settlement in a Tokenised Ecosystem](https://www.rba.gov.au/payments-and-infrastructure/tokenised-money/the-role-of-rits-in-supporting-settlement-in-a-tokenised-ecosystem/). Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), 2026-09-03, consultation. Consults on how the RBA's settlement system could support tokenised assets, including stablecoin issuer access to central bank reserves and tokenised reserves. Submissions close 30 October 2026. - [Final call for firms to act before ASIC's digital asset licensing deadline](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/final-call-for-firms-to-act-before-asic-s-digital-asset-licensing-deadline/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-09-02, guidance. Warned that firms without a licence application by 30 September 2026, when the no-action relief ended, risk penalties of up to 10% of turnover from 1 October. ASIC had recorded over 45 applications since October 2025. - [AUSTRAC orders Cryptolink's crypto ATMs offline](https://www.austrac.gov.au/news-and-media/media-release/austrac-orders-cryptolinks-crypto-atms-offline). Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), 2026-08-10, guidance. AUSTRAC suspended Cryptolink's VASP registration for three months, shutting its 96 crypto ATMs after reporting failures that followed a 2025 enforceable undertaking. - [Virtual asset service provider register goes public](https://www.austrac.gov.au/news-and-media/article/virtual-asset-service-provider-register-goes-public). Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), 2026-06-30, guidance. AUSTRAC published its VASP register so the public can check whether a crypto business is registered, and listed the services that require registration. - [Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Reform No. 1) Act 2026](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00049/asmade/text). Parliament of Australia (Federal Register of Legislation), 2026-06-26, enacted. Assented to on 26 June 2026. For CGT events from 1 July 2027 it ends the 50% capital gains discount for individuals and trusts, replacing it with cost base indexation for gains accruing from that date (assets held then are deemed sold and reacquired, so earlier gains keep the discount), and adds a 30% minimum tax on resident individuals' capital gains. This will apply to crypto held as an investment. - [ASIC extends no-action position for digital asset businesses to 30 September 2026](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asic-extends-no-action-position-for-digital-asset-businesses-to-30-september-2026/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-06-25, guidance. Gives digital asset firms three more months to apply for or vary an AFSL, and extends relief to firms using authorised representative arrangements. About 30 applications had been received. - [Crypto asset investments](https://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/investments-and-assets/crypto-asset-investments). Australian Taxation Office (ATO), 2026-06-22, guidance. ATO guidance hub (last updated 22 June 2026) on capital gains tax for crypto disposals, the personal use asset exemption, DeFi and wrapping, chain splits and record keeping. - [ASIC successful in High Court Block Earner appeal (26-124MR)](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2026-releases/26-124mr-asic-successful-in-high-court-block-earner-appeal/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-06-17, guidance. The High Court ruled 7-0 that Block Earner's fixed-yield Earner product was a financial product and a derivative, confirming that the financial product definition is broad and technology neutral. - [RBA and DFCRC Release Findings From Project Acacia](https://www.rba.gov.au/media-releases/2026/mr-26-13.html). Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), 2026-05-18, guidance. Reports on 20 wholesale tokenised asset use cases settled with ESA balances, pilot wholesale CBDC, deposit tokens and stablecoins. Sets next steps including a digital market infrastructure sandbox. - [AUSTRAC steps up supervision of virtual assets sector as reforms take effect](https://www.austrac.gov.au/news-and-media/media-release/austrac-steps-supervision-virtual-assets-sector-reforms-take-effect). Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), 2026-05-08, guidance. Announces supervisory campaigns into 36 over-the-counter crypto businesses and 27 local exchanges as the VASP reforms bed in. - [ASIC's roadmap for digital assets law reform implementation](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/news-items/asics-roadmap-for-digital-assets-law-reform-implementation/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-04-20, guidance. Sets ASIC's 18-month plan to implement the new Act: a regulatory guide for platforms, asset-holding and settlement standards, financial requirements, then licence applications. - [Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2026A00038/asmade/text). Parliament of Australia (Federal Register of Legislation), 2026-04-08, enacted. Assented to on 8 April 2026. The whole Act commences the day after the 12 months from assent: 8 April 2027 under its commencement table and on the Register (ASIC's announcements say 9 April 2027). It makes digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms financial products that need an AFSL, with a small-platform exemption and a six-month transition to apply. People behind it: Daniel Mulino (Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services). - [Virtual asset service providers overview](https://www.austrac.gov.au/industry-and-business/your-industry/virtual-asset-service-providers/virtual-asset-service-providers-overview). Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), 2026-04-02, guidance. Explains which crypto services make a business a VASP and states that providing them without AUSTRAC registration is illegal. - [Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Rules 2025](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L01026/latest/text). AUSTRAC (Federal Register of Legislation), 2026-03-31, in force. Made on 29 August 2025, with the virtual asset provisions in force from 31 March 2026 (as amended by 2026 amending rules). Sets VASP registration requirements, enhanced due diligence for certain virtual asset services and Travel Rule data for crypto transfers. - [Binance Australia Derivatives ordered to pay $10 million penalty (26-055MR)](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2026-releases/26-055mr-binance-australia-derivatives-ordered-to-pay-10-million-penalty-for-onboarding-failures-causing-millions-in-client-trading-losses/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-03-27, guidance. Oztures Trading misclassified 524 retail investors as wholesale clients, exposing them to crypto derivatives without retail protections. - [Payments licensing reforms](https://treasury.gov.au/policy-topics/banking-and-finance/payments-licensing-reforms). The Treasury, 2026-03-12, consultation. Tracks the draft payment service provider law: AFSLs for payment functions, safeguarding of client money and APRA powers over major stored-value facility providers. The full Tranche 1 draft was released on 12 March 2026 for consultation that closed on 9 April 2026; no bill has been introduced yet. - [BPS Financial to pay $14 million in penalties over crypto Qoin wallet (26-008MR)](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2026-releases/26-008mr-bps-financial-to-pay-14-million-in-penalties-over-crypto-qoin-wallet/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2026-01-27, guidance. The Federal Court ordered A$2 million for unlicensed conduct and A$12 million for misleading claims about the Qoin Wallet, a non-cash payment facility. - [ASIC Corporations (Stablecoin and Wrapped Token Relief) Instrument 2025/867](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L01512/latest/text). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2025-12-05, in force. Made on 5 December 2025 and in force from 8 December 2025 until 1 January 2029. Extends class relief to distributors of eligible stablecoins and wrapped tokens whose issuers hold, or have applied for, an AFSL. - [New digital asset laws to unlock innovation and safeguard investment](https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/daniel-mulino-2025/media-releases/new-digital-asset-laws-unlock-innovation-and-safeguard). Treasury Ministers (Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer), 2025-11-26, guidance. Announces introduction of the Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025. Explains the AFSL obligations for platforms and the exemption for platforms holding under A$5,000 per customer and A$10 million in yearly transactions. - [Information Sheet 225 (INFO 225): Digital assets: Financial products and services](https://www.asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/digital-transformation/digital-assets-financial-products-and-services/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2025-10-29, guidance. ASIC's main guidance on when digital assets are financial products, with 18 worked examples covering stablecoins, wrapped tokens, staking and tokenised assets. Updated October 2025, with minor edits in April 2026. - [New legislation to modernise the regulation of payment service providers](https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/daniel-mulino-2025/media-releases/new-legislation-modernise-regulation-payment-service). Treasury Ministers (Assistant Treasurer), 2025-10-09, superseded. Released the Tranche 1a exposure draft for a graduated stored-value facility regime, expressly including stablecoin issuers and wallets that hold customer funds. Superseded by the full Tranche 1 draft of March 2026. - [ASIC Corporations (Stablecoin Distribution Exemption) Instrument 2025/631](https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2025L01117/latest/text). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2025-09-19, in force. Made on 17 September 2025 and in force from 19 September 2025 until 1 June 2028. Exempts intermediaries distributing named stablecoins from separate AFS, market and clearing licences; named coins are Catena Digital's AUDM and, since October 2025, Forte Securities' AUDF. - [Project Acacia: RBA and DFCRC announce chosen industry participants and ASIC provides regulatory relief (25-129MR)](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2025-releases/25-129mr-project-acacia-rba-and-dfcrc-announce-chosen-industry-participants-and-asic-provides-regulatory-relief-for-tokenised-asset-settlement-research-project/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2025-07-10, guidance. Selects 24 tokenised asset use cases (19 live pilots) across bonds, private markets and carbon credits, with ASIC relief so participants could trade real assets. - [Developing an innovative Australian digital asset industry](https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2025-628504). The Treasury, 2025-03-21, guidance. Government policy statement setting four pillars: a digital asset platform framework, payment stablecoin rules under payments licensing, a sandbox review and tokenisation initiatives. - [Government response to the Board of Taxation's Review of the tax treatment of digital assets and transactions in Australia](https://treasury.gov.au/publication/p2025-639068). The Treasury, 2025-03-21, guidance. Accepts the Board's finding that existing tax law can handle digital assets, with the ATO to fill gaps through a crypto working group and new guidance. - [Kraken crypto exchange operator to pay $8 million following ASIC enforcement action (24-274MR)](https://www.asic.gov.au/about-asic/news-centre/find-a-media-release/2024-releases/24-274mr-kraken-crypto-exchange-operator-to-pay-8-million-following-asic-enforcement-action/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2024-12-12, guidance. Bit Trade offered a margin extension credit product to over 1,100 customers without a target market determination. It was ASIC's first penalty for breaching design and distribution obligations. - [Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2024A00110/asmade/text). Parliament of Australia (Federal Register of Legislation), 2024-12-10, in force. Assented to on 10 December 2024. Schedule 6, in force from 31 March 2026, replaces digital currency exchange rules with a broader virtual asset service provider regime. - [Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 4) Act 2023, Schedule 2](https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2023A00029/asmade/text). Parliament of Australia (Federal Register of Legislation), 2023-06-23, in force. Excludes digital currencies such as bitcoin from foreign currency tax rules, backdated to 1 July 2021, so crypto held as an investment stays under capital gains tax. - [Crypto-assets: Risk management expectations and policy roadmap](https://www.apra.gov.au/news-and-publications/crypto-assets-risk-management-expectations-and-policy-roadmap). Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), 2022-04-21, guidance. Sets APRA's expectations for banks, insurers and super funds engaging with crypto-assets, and a roadmap toward Basel-aligned prudential rules. - [REP 705 Response to submissions on CP 343 Crypto-assets as underlying assets for ETPs and other investment products](https://www.asic.gov.au/regulatory-resources/find-a-document/reports/rep-705-response-to-submissions-on-cp-343-crypto-assets-as-underlying-assets-for-etps-and-other-investment-products/). Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), 2021-10-29, guidance. Sets ASIC's expectations for crypto-asset ETPs and funds, including custody, pricing and which crypto assets are suitable underlying assets. This paved the way for listed crypto ETFs.