Australia
Four APAC Regulators Set Overlapping Crypto Deadlines in Q2 2026
- Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea are simultaneously overhauling digital asset frameworks between April and June.
- A new FM Intelligence analysis maps the licensing, reclassification, and operational mandates converging across the region in a single quarter.
Thursday, 09/04/2026 | 06:49 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
Coinbase Secures Australian License to Offer Equity Perpetuals and Derivatives
- Local hiring increases as Coinbase builds legal, compliance, marketing, and operations teams.
- Around 33% of Australians now hold cryptocurrency, growing use for payments observed.
Wednesday, 08/04/2026 | 12:52 GMT by
Tareq Sikder
Australia and New Zealand Sound Alarm on AI-Powered Investment Scams as Takedowns Hit Record Pace
- ASIC removed nearly 12,000 scam websites in 2025, while New Zealand's FMA flagged 190 fake trading platforms in March.
- Deepfake videos and fabricated news articles featuring politicians and bank CEOs are driving a new wave of fraud across the Asia-Pacific.
Wednesday, 08/04/2026 | 05:38 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
Ripple Seeks Australian License as It Expands Regulatory Footprint
- Ripple plans to obtain an Australian financial license through the acquisition of BC Payments Australia.
- Industry observers say the move reflects growing demand for regulated blockchain payment infrastructure in APAC.
Wednesday, 11/03/2026 | 09:23 GMT by
Tanya Chepkova
Revolut Hits 1 Million Users in Australia, Plans $400M Investment
- The London-based fintech joins Up and Ubank in the million-customer club six years after market entry.
- Revolut claims it has saved Australians over $250 million in foreign exchange fees compared to traditional banks since 2020.
Monday, 09/02/2026 | 10:52 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
Australia Orders Compliance Audit of $8 Billion Airwallex Platform
- The Australian watchdog orders an external review of the payment platform's anti-money laundering controls.
- The enforcement action comes just one day after the company announced its South Korean market entry.
Thursday, 22/01/2026 | 07:16 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
eToro Dominates Australia’s CFD Market – Where Trader Loyalty Rarely Survives a Year
- ASIC revealed that 119,300 clients traded CFDs per quarter in fiscal year 2024, a 76 per cent drop from before leverage restrictions were imposed in March 2021.
- Eighty-four per cent of options CFD traders lost money, but the regulator is unsure who is fit to trade these products.
Wednesday, 21/01/2026 | 08:30 GMT by
Arnab Shome
Aussie CFD Traders Got About $27 Million in Refunds After Regulatory Intervention
- ASIC’s action came after it found that more than half of local CFD issuers were offering “margin discounts” and breaching other mandatory obligations.
- Aussie retail CFD traders lost over AU$458 million (US$308.3 million) in 2024.
Tuesday, 20/01/2026 | 04:53 GMT by
Arnab Shome
After Two Years Without Banks, Australian Traders Can Move Fiat on Binance Again
- A survey showed 58% wanted unrestricted deposits, 22% switched banks to buy crypto more easily.
- Cuscal previously cut support, citing fraud prevention and compliance requirements, leaving card or crypto options.
Monday, 19/01/2026 | 06:57 GMT by
Tareq Sikder
Aussie Regulator Ramps Up Pump-and-Dump Scheme Warning after Conviction of Four
- Four individuals were running pump-and-dump schemes through Telegram groups.
- Regulators from Australia, Asia, Europe and North America recently discussed the threat posed by such market manipulation.
Monday, 22/12/2025 | 05:40 GMT by
Arnab Shome
ASX Faces $150M Capital Charge After Scathing Inquiry Finds Years of Neglect
- Australia's stock exchange operator must overhaul its governance and raise additional capital following a damning inquiry.
- The reforms include independent boards for clearing units to address “serious shortcomings” in risk management and culture.
Monday, 15/12/2025 | 07:21 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
After CME, ASX Outage Exposes Exchange Flaws: Brings More Worries for the Aussie Operator
- Although the Australian exchange is now operational, trading of companies with price-sensitive announcements is suspended.
- The exchange operator is already facing investigation for its operational and risk management failures.
Monday, 01/12/2025 | 07:09 GMT by
Arnab Shome
CFD Educator Learn to Trade’s Compliance Failure Pushes Aussie Regulator to Take Action
- Learn to Trade allegedly failed to submit its financial statements for two consecutive years on time, and also did not inform the regulator about the new auditor appointment.
- ASIC now wants an independent compliance consultant to review the company’s “procedures and frameworks.”
Tuesday, 25/11/2025 | 05:26 GMT by
Arnab Shome
ASIC Makes “Reporting Misconduct” a Priority: An Alarm for CFD Brokers?
- “Financial reporting misconduct” is among the ten priorities for the regulator in 2026.
- “We’re doing more investigations, taking more matters to court, and securing record penalties,” says ASIC’s Deputy Chair.
Thursday, 13/11/2025 | 05:34 GMT by
Arnab Shome
Aussie Regulator Granted 290 New AFS Licences in FY25, While Curbing 215 Others
- The number of new AFS licence applications with the regulator jumped by 10 per cent last year.
- “Applications from digital asset operators are on the rise, underscoring the growing interest in the crypto sector,” said the ASIC Commissioner.
Monday, 10/11/2025 | 05:17 GMT by
Arnab Shome
Data Scientist Unlocks 9 Million AUD Crypto for AFP Investigation in Australia
- Suspect refused wallet keys, risking leaving prison with millions from alleged crimes.
- AFP digital forensics team identifies altered number sequences to access crypto wallet.
Friday, 31/10/2025 | 10:32 GMT by
Tareq Sikder
ASIC Warns Fake Moneysmart Pages Harvest Investor Details
- Australian regulators have identified fraudulent copies of the government's financial education website.
- Scammers pressure victims with urgency tactics and promises of high returns from small deposits.
Thursday, 16/10/2025 | 07:59 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
Cboe Gets Green Light to Break ASX's Grip on Australian Market
- The ASIC approval allows an alternative exchange to host IPOs and company listings for the first time.
- The move aims to increase options for companies seeking capital and boost investment opportunities for local investors.
Tuesday, 07/10/2025 | 06:12 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
Aussie Regulators Propose Full Licensing and Stronger Consumer Protections for Crypto
- Currently, only platforms trading major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are registered with AUSTRAC.
- The proposal also includes requirements for wrapped tokens, staking activities, and the broader token infrastructure.
Thursday, 25/09/2025 | 13:32 GMT by
Jared Kirui
ASIC Traps Investment Boss in Australia as $8M Bond Scam Unravels
- One scammed retiree reportedly lost $750,000 after investing what he believed were legitimate Macquarie and UBS bonds.
- In reality, however, no transactions most likely took place.
- The most concerning aspect is that, despite the alleged fraud, the perpetrators held ASIC authorization.
Tuesday, 23/09/2025 | 05:39 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
$53M Investor Cash Allegedly Lost To Gambling In Aussie Fund Scandal
- Federal court extends asset preservation orders amid ASIC investigation into suspected misuse of investor funds.
- Director Gregory Cotton must disclose financial details as the regulator probes missing investments.
Thursday, 11/09/2025 | 05:53 GMT by
Damian Chmiel
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