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.
Mar 2026
AUSTRAC registration opens for virtual asset service providers
Registration opened under the expanded AML/CTF framework, ahead of the travel rule taking effect.
Apr 2026
Bill passed both houses — Digital Assets Framework enacted
Royal Assent received. First comprehensive digital asset law in Australia.
Jul 2026DEADLINE
Expanded AUSTRAC AML/CTF obligations for newly regulated sectors
New categories of crypto service providers come within AUSTRAC oversight.
Jul 2026DEADLINE
Crypto travel rule takes effect
Australian VASPs must collect and transmit originator and beneficiary information on transfers above a prescribed threshold, aligning with FATF Recommendation 16.
Sept 2026DEADLINE
AFSL application deadline (extended)
ASIC no-action position expires: firms dealing in digital asset financial products must have applied for an AFSL, or notified ASIC for market/CS facility licences. Extended from 30 June 2026.
Apr 2027
DAF Act commences
Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 commences: Digital Asset Platforms and Tokenised Custody Platforms become regulated financial products requiring an AFSL.
Oct 2027
DAF Act application window closes
End of the April–October 2027 AFSL application window, during which platform operators may continue operating under regulatory relief while ASIC reviews applications. Exact closing date within October to be confirmed by ASIC.
Always refer to official sources to confirm current requirements. CryptoRegHub summaries are for general guidance only.
Updates & news
26 July 2026
ASIC extends AFSL no-action deadline to 30 September 2026
ASIC has extended its sector-wide no-action position from 30 June 2026 to 30 September 2026, giving firms dealing in digital asset financial products until end of September to apply for an AFSL or notify ASIC for market/CS facility licences. Implementation dates for the Digital Assets Framework Act have also been confirmed: the Act commences 9 April 2027, with an AFSL application window from April to October 2027 under regulatory relief.
1 July 2026
Australian travel rule in force; market regulation bill progressing
The crypto travel rule took effect on 1 July 2026 under the expanded AML/CTF framework, with AUSTRAC registration having opened on 31 March 2026. VASPs must transmit originator and beneficiary information on transfers above a prescribed threshold expected to align with the FATF equivalent of around USD/EUR 1,000. Separately, the Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill continues through Parliament with bipartisan support, proposing a dedicated licensing framework for crypto platforms.
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 Sept 2026
Last verified26 Jul 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.