What is Block Earner’s new crypto credit licence?

Block Earner received an Australian Credit Licence from Australian Securities and Investments Commission, becoming the first crypto-focused platform in the country to secure this approval. The licence allows the company to directly originate and manage regulated lending products backed by digital assets. It marks a major regulatory milestone for Australia’s crypto lending sector.

Why is the Block Earner licence important for Australia’s crypto industry?

The approval signals that Australian regulators are becoming more open to integrating digital assets into mainstream financial services under existing legal frameworks. It also creates a clearer path for crypto-backed lending products to operate with formal oversight. Industry participants see the move as an important step toward broader institutional acceptance of crypto finance.

What products can Block Earner now offer with the licence?

The licence allows Block Earner to originate, underwrite and manage regulated credit products using digital assets as collateral. That includes products such as bitcoin-backed home loans and other crypto-linked lending solutions. Previously, the company operated through a third-party credit provider structure.

What is Block Earner’s bitcoin-backed home loan product?

Block Earner launched Australia’s first bitcoin-backed home loan in July 2025. The product allows borrowers to use Bitcoin holdings as part of the lending structure instead of relying entirely on traditional collateral. The company said the product generated more than $500 million in mortgage demand at the waitlist stage.

Why are traditional banks cautious about crypto-backed loans?

Many banks remain concerned about cryptocurrency price volatility, custody risks and regulatory uncertainty. Digital assets can fluctuate sharply in value, making them more difficult to manage as loan collateral compared with property or cash deposits. Regulators are also still developing rules around how crypto-backed financial products should operate.

What did Block Earner CEO Charlie Karaboga say about the licence?

Charlie Karaboga said the approval shows progress toward creating clearer regulatory pathways for digital asset businesses in Australia. He argued that cryptocurrencies are becoming an increasingly common store of wealth for Australians. Karaboga also emphasised responsible lending and governance standards.

How many Australians hold digital assets?

Block Earner said more than four million Australians currently hold digital assets. That growing adoption is increasing pressure on lenders and financial institutions to recognise crypto holdings within regulated financial products. The trend is helping drive demand for crypto-backed lending services.

Is ASIC fully supportive of Block Earner’s business?

Not entirely because Australian Securities and Investments Commission is still pursuing separate High Court proceedings against Block Earner over its earlier “Earner” crypto yield product. ASIC alleges the product involved unlicensed financial services and an unregistered managed investment scheme. The case remains ongoing despite the new credit licence approval.

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Block Earner secures Australia’s first crypto credit licence

Written by Liezl GambePublished May. 21 2026

Block Earner became the first crypto-focused platform in Australia to receive an Australian Credit Licence from Australian Securities and Investments Commission, allowing it to directly offer regulated lending products backed by digital assets.

The Sydney-based fintech said the licence enables it to originate, underwrite and manage credit products under its own permissions instead of operating through a third-party provider.

The approval follows Block Earner’s launch of Australia’s first bitcoin-backed home loan in July 2025, which the company said generated more than $500 million in mortgage demand at the waitlist stage.

“We welcome ASIC’s continued progress in providing a clear pathway for firms in this space. Digital assets are becoming an increasingly common store of wealth for Australians,”

Said Charlie Karaboga.

Block Earner said the licence strengthens its ability to integrate digital assets into regulated financial products as more Australians hold cryptocurrencies despite traditional banks remaining cautious about accepting them as collateral.

Following the announcement there was no immediate market impact because Block Earner is a privately held company and the approval does not involve a listed cryptocurrency or publicly traded security.

The company said more than four million Australians now hold digital assets, while its executives argued the industry needs regulated frameworks that allow crypto wealth to be incorporated into mainstream lending and mortgage products.

Despite the licence approval, Australian Securities and Investments Commission continues separate High Court proceedings against Block Earner over its earlier fixed-yield “Earner” crypto product, which ASIC alleges involved unlicensed financial services and an unregistered managed investment scheme.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $77,741.58.