Australia's New Crypto Rules: What Holders Need to Check

Australia's crypto rules are changing. AUSTRAC already requires many crypto service providers to register for anti-money laundering and financial crime oversight, while ASIC is pushing affected digital asset businesses into Australia's financial services licensing regime.

In this episode, Peter breaks down the difference between AUSTRAC registration and an Australian Financial Services Licence, what ASIC's 30 September 2026 transition deadline means, and why the bigger Digital Asset Platform framework starting in April 2027 is focused heavily on custody.

The key message for Australian crypto holders is simple: you do not need a licence to own Bitcoin, ADA or other crypto, and self-custody is not being banned. But if you use an exchange or custodial platform, it is worth checking who you are dealing with, whether they are registered with AUSTRAC, whether they need an AFSL, and what entity actually holds your assets.

Chapters:

0:00 Australia's crypto rules are changing

0:55 AUSTRAC registration vs ASIC licensing

1:59 What ASIC regulates

2:40 The 30 September 2026 AFSL deadline

3:23 Why not every exchange needs an AFSL today

3:53 Digital Asset Platforms from April 2027

4:25 Custody and not your keys

5:20 What this means for Australian crypto holders