ASIC sets Sept. 30 deadline for Australian crypto licensing

Australia's securities regulator ASIC warned crypto businesses relying on its no-action position that they have until Sept. 30 to meet its authorization conditions or risk fines. Firms can apply for or vary an Australian Financial Services license, or operate under authorized-representative or intermediary arrangements with an AFS license holder, while companies needing an Australian Market Licence or clearing/settlement facility license must notify ASIC and hold a pre-application meeting by the same date.

• From Oct. 1, businesses that require a license but haven't met the conditions of ASIC's temporary relief could be operating in breach of financial services law, with penalties of up to 10% of annual turnover.
• More than 45 businesses have applied for crypto-related authorizations since ASIC updated its digital asset guidance (INFO 225) in October 2025.
• The deadline is a step toward Australia's Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026, which takes effect April 9, 2027 and brings crypto and tokenized custody platforms under the financial-services licensing regime.