Australia Gives Crypto Firms 3 More Months to Secure Licenses

Australian digital asset firms have until Sept. 30, 2026, to apply for or vary licenses after the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) extended its no-action relief for eligible crypto services. The extension, which covers firms offering financial services involving digital assets, also widens the relief to businesses using authorized representative or intermediary authorization arrangements with an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence holder.

ASIC has received about 30 licence applications from digital asset firms since updating Information Sheet 225 (INFO 225) in October 2025, which clarifies how existing financial services laws apply to digital assets. The no-action position does not change Australian law or create a permanent licensing exemption—it indicates when ASIC will not take enforcement action against eligible firms meeting transition conditions. However, ASIC retains the power to act against serious misconduct causing significant consumer harm or systemic issues.

The relief excludes crypto lending and earn products, most digital asset payment facilities outside eligible stablecoins, and derivatives beyond wrapped tokens. The guidance aligns with Australia’s broader Digital Asset Framework reforms, aiming to provide an orderly path to licensing while maintaining investor protection and market integrity.

Source: https://news.bitcoin.com/australia-gives-crypto-firms-3-more-months-to-secure-licenses/