Australia Moves to License Crypto Platforms Under New Bill

An Australian Senate committee has recommended passing legislation that would bring cryptocurrency platforms and digital asset custody providers under the country’s existing financial services regulatory framework.

In a report released Monday, the Senate Economics Legislation Committee said the proposed Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 would represent a substantial improvement in the oversight of the digital asset sector.

The bill aims to establish a licensing and compliance regime for companies that operate digital asset platforms or manage tokenized custody services. Rather than regulating the underlying blockchain technology, the framework focuses on firms that hold or manage digital assets on behalf of customers.

Under the proposal, such businesses would be required to operate within Australia’s existing financial services laws, which are governed by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. Companies operating digital asset platforms would be treated similarly to other financial service providers and would need to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence to legally provide services.

If the legislation becomes law, firms that currently operate without an AFSL would be given six months to obtain the required authorization and comply with the new regulatory framework.

Lawmakers say the legislation is intended to modernize Australia’s oversight of digital assets as the sector continues to grow rapidly. Despite increasing adoption of cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based services, the regulatory environment has remained fragmented, creating uncertainty for both companies and consumers.

The committee noted that designing effective rules for digital assets is a complex task, particularly when regulators must balance innovation with consumer protection

According to the report, creating a framework that accurately identifies and manages risks while remaining technology-neutral and compatible with international standards presents a significant challenge.

Despite these difficulties, the committee concluded that the proposed legislation would introduce stronger safeguards for Australian consumers and provide greater regulatory clarity for businesses operating in the digital asset industry.

If adopted, the framework could mark a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrency services into Australia’s mainstream financial regulatory system, aligning the country more closely with other jurisdictions that have already begun implementing structured oversight for digital asset platforms.

Your web3 identity + services + payments in one single link. Get your pay3.so link today.

Disclaimer: The information on this page may come from third parties and does not represent the views or opinions of Gate. The content displayed on this page is for reference only and does not constitute any financial, investment, or legal advice. Gate does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information and shall not be liable for any losses arising from the use of this information. Virtual asset investments carry high risks and are subject to significant price volatility. You may lose all of your invested principal. Please fully understand the relevant risks and make prudent decisions based on your own financial situation and risk tolerance. For details, please refer to Disclaimer.

Related Articles

Encourage innovation! A U.S. judge and a French judge ban Arizona from regulating prediction markets, and suspend the prosecution of Kalshi

A U.S. federal district court ruled that Arizona is prohibited from using its gambling laws to prosecute prediction market platform Kalshi, finding that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exclusive jurisdiction. The ruling affects the boundary between state and federal authority in financial market regulation, while Kalshi insists that its business is a financial product rather than traditional gambling. Decisions regarding prediction markets vary from state to state, and the Trump family has also expressed support for prediction markets.

CryptoCity49m ago

Can bypassing FSC regulations on using credit cards to buy crypto be possible? Odin Ding promotes a Wallet Pro service for buying crypto with US debit cards

OdinTai推出OwlPay和Wallet Pro服务,专注于B2B跨境支付,结合稳定币技术与国际金融系统,展现其金融科技转型。通过与MoneyGram合作,Wallet Pro实现现金购买稳定币的跨国汇款,并在美国市场运作。该公司的境外模式规避了台湾严格的监管,并在新法草案下挑战市场竞争格局,未来将影响本地业者的合规策略。

CryptoCity1h ago

Encourage innovation! A U.S. judge bans Arizona’s regulation of prediction markets, and suspends the prosecution of Kalshi.

A U.S. federal district court ruled that Arizona is barred from using its gambling laws to prosecute prediction market platform Kalshi, finding that the federal Commodity Futures Trading Commission has exclusive jurisdiction. The decision affects the boundary between state and federal authority in financial market regulation, while Kalshi insists that its business is a financial product rather than traditional gambling. Rulings on prediction markets vary across states, and the Trump family has also expressed support for prediction markets.

CryptoCity3h ago

Solana cofounder toly: a base-layer stablecoin should be built that can only be frozen with authorization from the court

Solana co-founder toly noted that the industry needs a stablecoin that can only be frozen under a court order, opposing other freeze factors. He suggested that the protocol issue a stablecoin with custom freeze strategies on the base layer and strengthen security measures. This view stems from a recent response by Circle to the Drift protocol hack incident, sparking discussions about centralized stablecoins.

GateNews4h ago

Hong Kong’s first batch of stablecoin issuers has been unveiled! Out of 36 applications, only 2 received licenses: HSBC and TetherPoint Finance

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority has announced the inaugural stablecoin issuer licensing scheme, and Tidepoint Financial Technology, led by HSBC Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, has been approved. This regulatory framework is designed to protect users’ interests, promote the application of compliant stablecoins, address financial pain points, and drive the development of Hong Kong’s digital assets.

CryptoCity4h ago

Is it possible to bypass Financial Supervisory Commission regulations to buy crypto by card? Odingding rolls out a U.S. debit card crypto purchase service, Wallet Pro

OdinTin launches OwlPay and Wallet Pro services, focusing on B2B cross-border payments. By combining stablecoin technology with international financial systems, it demonstrates its fintech transformation. Through a partnership with MoneyGram, Wallet Pro enables cross-border transfers to buy stablecoins with cash and operates in the U.S. market. The company’s offshore model avoids Taiwan’s strict regulation, and under the new draft law, it challenges the market’s competitive landscape, which will affect local businesses’ compliance strategies in the future.

CryptoCity4h ago
Comment
0/400
No comments