General information only. CryptoRegHub provides summaries for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Always verify with official sources and consult qualified legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
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CryptoRegHub provides plain-English summaries of crypto regulations for informational purposes only. This does not constitute legal, compliance, or financial advice. Regulations change frequently — always verify information with official sources and consult qualified legal counsel before making any compliance decisions.
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 passed both houses of the Australian Parliament on 1 April 2026, representing Australia's first comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. The legislation brings digital asset platforms and tokenised custody providers into the existing Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) framework under the Corporations Act 2001, applying the same core rules that govern brokers and fund managers. The Bill creates two new regulated categories of financial products: Digital Asset Platforms (DAPs) — exchanges and platforms that hold crypto on behalf of users; and Tokenised Custody Platforms (TCPs) — platforms for the tokenisation of real-world assets. ASIC issued a sector-wide no-action position until 30 June 2026 for firms actively working toward licensing. Approximately 400 crypto platforms are registered in Australia; only 10% hold ASIC registration.
Who does it apply to?
Applies to: (1) Digital Asset Platforms (DAPs) — entities that hold digital assets on behalf of customers above AUD 5,000 per customer or process more than AUD 10 million in annual transactions. (2) Tokenised Custody Platforms (TCPs) — entities handling the tokenisation of real-world assets. Smaller platforms (below AUD 5,000 per customer AND under AUD 10 million annual transactions) are exempt. ASIC's substance-over-form approach means DeFi protocols with identifiable parties influencing design or economic outcomes may also be in scope.
Key requirements
Key requirements: (1) Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) from ASIC — deadline 30 June 2026. (2) Act efficiently, honestly and fairly. (3) Clear disclosures to retail users at onboarding. (4) Appropriate risk management and compliance controls. (5) Customer asset safeguarding: strict rules on segregation and custody of client digital assets. (6) AML/CTF: AUSTRAC registration and AML programme required from 31 March 2026 under the AML/CTF Amendment Act 2024. Travel Rule from 31 March 2026. (7) Capital adequacy requirements. (8) Penalties for breach: up to 10% of annual turnover.
Obligation types
Licensing / Authorisation
Requirement to obtain a licence or authorisation before operating
KYC / AML
Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering obligations
Custody / Segregation
Rules on how customer assets must be held
Travel Rule compliance
Sharing originator/beneficiary data on transfers
Disclosure / Whitepaper
Mandatory disclosures to users or markets
Capital requirements
Minimum capital or reserve requirements
Consumer protection
Rules protecting retail customers
Regulatory reporting
Ongoing reporting to regulators
Penalties & fines
Civil penalty — operating without AFSL
Providing digital asset platform services without an AFSL after 30 June 2026
Max: Up to 10% of annual turnover
Applies to: DAPs and TCPs without AFSL
Criminal penalty — serious breach
Dishonest conduct or serious breach of financial services obligations
Max: Imprisonment up to 15 years
Applies to: Licensed and unlicensed firms and individuals
Implementation timeline
Dec 2024
ASIC released Consultation Paper 381 — proposed updates to INFO 225
Consulted on updated ASIC guidance classifying crypto activities against existing financial product definitions.
Nov 2025
Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 introduced to Parliament
Introduced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Financial Services Minister Daniel Mulino.
Mar 2026DEADLINE
AUSTRAC AML/CTF obligations mandatory for existing reporting entities
Existing crypto businesses must comply with reformed AML/CTF settings under Amendment Act 2024.
Apr 2026
Bill passed both houses — Digital Assets Framework enacted
Royal Assent received. First comprehensive digital asset law in Australia.
Jun 2026DEADLINE
AFSL licensing deadline for digital asset platforms
All Digital Asset Platforms and Tokenised Custody Platforms must hold AFSL or cease operations. ASIC no-action position expires.
Jul 2026DEADLINE
Expanded AUSTRAC AML/CTF obligations for newly regulated sectors
New categories of crypto service providers come within AUSTRAC oversight.
Always refer to official sources to confirm current requirements. CryptoRegHub summaries are for general guidance only.
Updates & news
1 April 2026
Australia's first comprehensive digital asset law enacted
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 passed both houses on 1 April 2026. AFSL licensing deadline is 30 June 2026. Approximately 400 registered crypto platforms, only 10% currently ASIC-registered.
31 March 2026
AUSTRAC AML/CTF obligations now mandatory
Existing digital currency exchange businesses must now comply with the reformed AML/CTF framework including Travel Rule.
11 March 2026
ASIC confirmed substance-over-form approach for DeFi
ASIC head of fintech confirmed regulatory obligations apply whenever identifiable parties influence a protocol's design or economic outcomes, regardless of claimed decentralisation.
Frequently asked questions
At a glance
JurisdictionAustralia
RegulatorASIC, AUSTRAC
Official nameCorporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 (Royal Assent 1 April 2026)
StatusEnacted
Enacted1 Apr 2026
Effective from1 Apr 2026
Compliance deadline30 Jun 2026
Last verified14 Apr 2026
Penalty severity
● High risk
Large fines, licence revocation, or criminal referral risk
This summary is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify with official sources and consult qualified legal counsel.