Australia’s ASIC Signals Broader Digital Asset Oversight Ahead of New License Agreement
Australia’s markets regulator is sharpening its approach to digital assets, expanding how financial laws apply to tokens, securities and stablecoins as it prepares to introduce a new licensing regime.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) this week detailed expectations for the industry, saying many digital assets meet the definition of financial products under the Corporations Act 2001.
The updated interpretation appears ASIC’s proposed revision to Information Sheet 225.
The regulator’s move comes as the Treasury finalizes the digital asset platforms and payment services bills, which would introduce formal licensing for exchanges, custodians and some stablecoin issuers. ASIC’s latest guidance effectively prepares the ground for those laws by emphasizing that most crypto-related activity is Already acquired under the current framework.
Among the new examples, ASIC flags that fiat-backed fiats can be treated as non-cash payment facilities, while wrapped tokens can qualify as derivatives—both subject to Australian Financial Services (AFS) licensing.
The Commission affirmed that Australian law applies to offshore and decentralized structures sold or sold to local users, warning that global platforms cannot rely on geography to provide oversight.
ASIC also outlined new custodial obligations, requiring companies holding client assets to meet net tangible thresholds of up to 10 million Australian dollars (US $6.5 million), unless their custodial role is considered incidental.
While ASIC is offering a transitional “no-action” period for companies applying for the appropriate licenses once the guidance is finalised, it is clear that enforcement expectations are rising.
The update builds on Australia’s ongoing efforts to bring the crypto sector within the established perimeter of financial services. As the Treasury’s legislative proposals near introduction, ASIC signals that the country’s regulators are moving in lockstep to formalize digital-asset compliance.
