ASIC Consults on New Digital Asset Regulations
The Australian regulator is formalising rules to bring digital asset providers under standard financial licensing requirements.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Financial Services
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The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has opened a consultation regarding the regulation of digital asset providers. The initiative mandates that firms align their services with established financial licensing standards.
Why it matters
The regulator aims to ensure that digital asset companies are held to the same standards as traditional finance. This policy is based on the core principle of same activity, same risk, and same regulatory outcome.
Digital asset businesses are required to apply for an Australian Financial Services Licence by 30 September 2026. This move follows a precedent set by firms like AUDC, which has held an AFSL since 2022.
The players
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
This is Australia's integrated corporate, markets, financial services and consumer credit regulator.
AUDC
This digital asset entity has maintained an Australian Financial Services Licence since 2022.
The details
Digital asset firms are now required to map their services to specific financial authorisations, including payments, trading, and custody. Companies must utilise existing financial services licences to support these new proposed authorisations.
Timeline
AUDC obtained an AFSL in 2022.
The deadline for digital asset businesses to apply for an AFSL is 30 September 2026.
The ASIC consultation period takes place in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This regulatory shift integrates digital asset firms into the broader Australian Financial Services Licence framework. It positions the industry to move past previous regulatory uncertainty by adopting the same operational standards as traditional banking institutions.
Customers of digital asset providers can expect increased security and oversight as firms align with standard financial regulations. This transition ensures that users receive the same regulatory protections when trading digital assets as they do with traditional financial products.
The takeaway
The move signifies a major transition toward bringing the crypto economy into a mature and predictable legal environment. Firms operating in this space should prioritise mapping their current service offerings to the required financial authorisations immediately.
Further reading
For more information, see the Financial Services section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Financial Standard.
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