Australia has passed legislation requiring crypto exchanges and custody platforms to obtain financial services licences, marking a major step in regulating digital assets.
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 has cleared parliament and will introduce oversight for digital asset platforms under existing financial laws.
“For the first time, we have a legislative framework that directly addresses digital asset platforms and it provides long-awaited clarity,”
Said the Digital Economy Council of Australia.
The law mandates that crypto operators secure an Australian Financial Services Licence from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to continue operating.
It is designed to strengthen consumer protection and market integrity while providing clearer rules for businesses and investors.
Following the announcement the Australian crypto sector outlook was unchanged.
The bill will take effect 12 months after royal assent, with an additional transition period allowing firms time to comply with licensing requirements.
Additional guidance clarifies the law applies only to platforms that hold customer assets, excluding technologies like multi-party computation that do not directly control funds.