How is crypto regulated in Australia?

Crypto regulation in Australia has two layers. AUSTRAC, the financial intelligence agency, supervises crypto businesses for money laundering and terrorism financing, while ASIC, the corporate and markets regulator, is set to license crypto exchanges and custodians under a new law passed in 2026.

Is crypto legal in Australia?

Yes. Australians can buy, hold and sell crypto, and it is not banned. Regulation focuses on the businesses that hold or exchange crypto for customers, not on individuals who own it. Tax is a separate topic, explained in our guide on how crypto is taxed in Australia.

What does AUSTRAC do with crypto?

AUSTRAC enforces Australia's anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) laws. Crypto businesses must enrol and register with it, and reforms that took effect on March 31, 2026 brought newly regulated virtual asset services into the system.

From that date, providers of virtual asset services must not offer them until AUSTRAC has confirmed their registration. AUSTRAC can take up to 90 days to assess an application. Registrations last three years and can be renewed, and AUSTRAC can suspend or cancel a registration if it sees a significant money laundering, terrorism financing or other serious crime risk. Registered businesses must also report material changes within 14 days. For how these rules work in general, see crypto anti-money laundering rules.

How will ASIC regulate digital assets?

The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill passed Parliament on April 1, 2026 and received Royal Assent on April 8, 2026 as Act No. 38 of 2026. It creates two new categories of financial product.

• A digital asset platform is a facility where an operator holds digital tokens for customers. This covers exchanges, brokers, custodians and some wallet providers.
• A tokenised custody platform is one where the operator holds a real asset and issues a token that gives the holder a right to redeem it.

Operators of these platforms will need an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). They will also have to meet ASIC standards on holding client assets, settling transactions and platform rules, and give retail clients a guide to the platform. The law does not define "digital asset" as a whole. It defines tokens and platforms instead.

According to a summary of the Act, the framework commences in April 2027, followed by a six-month window for licence applications. There is a low-value exemption for small platforms that handle no more than $10 million in transactions over 12 months and cap each client at $5,000, provided they notify ASIC.

What does this mean for crypto users?

Once the ASIC regime is running, an Australian exchange that holds your crypto should be both AUSTRAC-registered and AFSL-licensed. Before then, AUSTRAC registration is the main check. Licensing does not remove price risk or guarantee your funds, so it helps to understand what happens if a crypto exchange goes bankrupt.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the official regulator or a qualified professional for your own situation.