Crypto Regulation Australia (Updated 2026): Everything You Need To Know
Cryptocurrencies are not prohibited in Australia. Although there is no standalone legislative regime that specifically regulates cryptocurrency, it is covered by existing Australian laws. Digital assets have been covered by anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) legislation since 2018, and cryptocurrencies have consistently gained a solid following across Australia.
However, some Australian traders may be confused when conducting crypto trading. For example, they may wonder what the crypto regulations are, whether it is legal to trade crypto in Australia and who is checking these trades regularly. In this article, we will explore all the essential rules and regulations for trading cryptocurrency in Australia.
Table of Contents
- Is Crypto Legal in Australia?
- Who Are the Watchdogs Regulating Cryptocurrencies in Australia?
- How Are Cryptocurrencies Regulated in Australia?
- What are the Regulations on Crypto Mining in Australia?
- Where to Trade Cryptocurrencies in Australia?
- Conclusion
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Is Crypto Legal in Australia?
The Australian government has adopted a broadly supportive stance towards novel and innovative financial services and products within the fintech industry. The application of Australian regulatory regimes to the blockchain and cryptocurrency sector has become clearer over time. The government has shifted from passive observation to proactive reform, focusing increasingly on perimeter expansion, licensing, custodial standards and consumer protection.
It is clear that cryptocurrency is legal and widely recognized as a legitimate asset in Australia. Australian citizens are permitted to buy, sell and use cryptocurrencies for payments. However, it should be noted that not all businesses accept cryptocurrency as a method of payment. Notably, Australia has witnessed wider adoption of cryptocurrencies in recent years, indicating the country’s support for blockchain technology and cryptocurrency innovations.
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Who Are the Watchdogs Regulating Cryptocurrencies in Australia?
Before exploring the specific regulations related to crypto in Australia, let’s know which key government bodies responsible for crypto regulation in the country. Several government bodies are responsible for overseeing cryptocurrency regulation in Australia, each handling a different aspect of the digital asset ecosystem. Together, these bodies form a comprehensive regulatory framework that focuses on compliance, consumer protection, and financial stability.
- Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) – The primary control body in Australia is the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). ASIC’s major functions include bank supervision, market supervision, consumer credit, and banking services. Furthermore, ASIC is also responsible for regulating financial services and businesses related to virtual currencies, including cryptocurrency exchanges, initial coin offerings (ICOs), etc. ASIC has published a number of guidelines and information sheets on cryptocurrencies to clarify its regulatory attitude and requirements for cryptocurrencies.
- Australian Treasury – The Australian Treasury engages in consultations for setting a regulatory framework for crypto asset service providers.
- Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) – APRA is the regulatory body that ensures that Australian financial institutions maintain certain liquidity standards and other requirements. Besides, APRA has also been involved in the development of the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and has proposed regulatory requirements for authorized deposit-taking institutions, such as banks, to work with cryptocurrencies.
- Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) – The RBA has entered into the industry of digital currencies. It has sensed the need to address opportunities arising from the Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and stablecoin payment systems.
- Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) – All crypto exchanges operated in Australia are required to register with AUSTRAC. This is a requirement that makes it possible to monitor the transactions for the sake of the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulation exercising.
- Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) –The ACCC focuses on consumer protection and market integrity, particularly in relation to crypto-related scams, misleading advertising, and unfair trading practices.
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) – The ATO is responsible for overseeing the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies. For tax purposes, crypto is treated as property, meaning capital gains tax (CGT) may be payable when digital assets are sold, exchanged or used to make purchases. The ATO also monitors compliance with reporting requirements and crypto transactions.
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How Are Cryptocurrencies Regulated in Australia?
Australian law recognizes cryptocurrencies as legitimate assets, paying more attention to transactional relationships than to the assets themselves. In Australia, cryptocurrencies are regulated through a multi-agency framework combining existing financial laws with emerging, digital asset-specific rules.
AUSTRAC (Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Compliance)
All cryptocurrency exchanges and digital asset service providers operating in Australia are required to register with AUSTRAC. These providers are required to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) obligations. In general, registered exchanges are required to implement ‘know your customer’ processes to verify the identity of their customers adequately. They also have ongoing reporting obligations, such as annual compliance reporting, and must monitor and report suspicious and large transactions. Exchange operators must also retain records relating to customer identification and transactions for up to seven years. DCB providers must renew their registration every three years.
Currently, AUSTRAC regulation only applies to designated service Item 50A under Table 1 of s 6 of the AML/CTF Act: the exchange of digital currency for fiat currency. However, this scope will change on 31 March 2026.
ASIC (Financial Products and Services Regulation)
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for regulating crypto activities that fall under financial services legislation. Providers of crypto assets or services that are considered financial products, such as certain tokens, staking programs, derivatives, or yield products, may need an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) and must comply with the Corporations Act.
Taxation by the ATO
The taxation of cryptocurrency in Australia is an area of much debate. For income tax purposes, the ATO views cryptocurrency as an asset that is held or traded (rather than as money or a foreign currency). Australia’s tax legislation clarifies that cryptocurrencies are not foreign currencies for income tax purposes.
The tax implications for holders of cryptocurrency depend on the purpose for which the cryptocurrency is acquired or held. Capital gains tax (CGT) applies when crypto is sold, swapped, or used for purchases, while businesses accepting crypto may face income tax and GST obligations depending on the transaction type.
Related Article: How To Legally Avoid Tax on Crypto In Australia: An Ultimate Guide
Upcoming Reform
From 31 March 2026, businesses providing designated services relating to virtual assets or value transfers must register with AUSTRAC (provided they meet the geographical requirements) and implement an AML/CTF program. This includes conducting a risk-based assessment of money laundering and terrorism financing, documenting AML/CTF policies (which replace the former Part A and B structure), carrying out customer due diligence at the time of onboarding and periodically thereafter, updating AML/CTF policies periodically, and complying with reporting and record-keeping obligations (including suspicious matter reports, threshold transaction reports, and annual compliance reports). Businesses will also need to appoint an onshore AML/CTF Compliance Officer.
Additionally, updated travel rule obligations will apply to all entities providing designated value transfer services, including virtual asset transfers. These obligations will replace the existing Electronic Funds Transfer Instruction framework. In line with FATF Recommendations 15 and 16, these reforms extend the scope of obligations beyond financial institutions to include remittance providers and VASPs, encompassing both domestic and cross-border transfers. Entities involved in the value transfer chain—namely ordering, intermediary, and beneficiary institutions—must collect and verify payer information. While the current focus remains on payer data, AUSTRAC has been granted rule-making powers to prescribe the required information once the FATF has finalized its review of Recommendation 16. The reforms also recognize the technical limitations of legacy systems and introduce limited obligations for transfers involving self-hosted wallets where it is not technically feasible to gather travel rule information due to the decentralized nature of such transfers.
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What are the Regulations on Crypto Mining in Australia?
Currently, there are no prohibitions on mining Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies in Australia. However, as cloud-based Bitcoin mining enterprises continue to grow in Australia, mining businesses must carefully consider cybersecurity issues relating to their activities.
Following a number of high-profile cyber breaches in Australia, legislators and regulators have made raising industry awareness and encouraging action with respect to cyber resilience and enhancing investment in digital infrastructure a priority in order to prevent data breaches, technology failures and system outages.
Additionally, the taxation of cryptocurrency and related activities in Australia has been a widely debated topic, including the taxation of cryptocurrency mining. In Australia, crypto mining is also subject to supervisory rules. Generally, a cryptocurrency miner would be required to register for GST if their annual GST turnover is A$75,000 or more, excluding the value of their supplies of digital currencies and other input-taxed supplies.
Miners who fall below this threshold can also participate in the scheme and claim input tax credits. This regulation makes the mining process more transparent and helps to build a stable and strong national economy.
Supplies made in connection with a miner’s enterprise, including its commencement or termination, are generally considered to be ‘made in the course or furtherance’ of the enterprise and may attract GST if the relevant conditions are met.
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Where to Trade Cryptocurrencies in Australia?
Firstly, it is recommended that you start trading cryptocurrency on a regulated Australian exchange such as BTCC. Australian regulators have high standards for exchanges, so they are seen as some of the best in the world. More specifically, if you want to buy cryptocurrencies in Australia, you can easily start by creating an account with BTCC, one of the longest-running exchange in the world. As a old exchange enjoy good reputation, BTCC is more reliable.
BTCC is a trusted and well-respected exchange in Australia thanks to its unwavering commitment to security and transparency. Since its establishment in 2011, BTCC has boasted an impeccable security track record, with zero reported hacks or breaches. Holding licenses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, BTCC provides a comprehensive suite of trading features within a secure and regulated platform.
With a mission of providing a trading platform that is fair and reliable in every sense, BTCC platform supports spot trading for over 360 cryptocurrencies, crypto futures trading with leverage up to 500x, crypto copy trading that allows users to follow experienced traders, demo trading accounts pre-loaded with $100,000 in virtual funds, and tokenized futures for stocks and commodities. If you want to engage in cryptocurrency trading, you can start by signing up for BTCC.
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Conclusion
Over the past decade, Australia’s digital asset reform journey has evolved from early tax guidance and initial regulatory reviews to a more comprehensive, risk-based approach. Australia has proven itself to be a proactive regulator of cryptocurrency, welcoming the exciting innovations within this field.
As Australia moves into 2026, its crypto regulatory framework is undergoing a significant transformation. The combination of new licensing laws, expanded definitions of digital assets and reinforced anti-money laundering (AML) oversight promises to deliver clearer rules and a stronger market structure.
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FAQs
Is Australia a crypto-friendly country?
Yes, the Australian government works with blockchain firms to promote compliance and growth, and it also offers a regulatory sandbox for crypto firms. Furthermore, Australia's progressive tax policies benefit crypto traders and investors.
Is crypto unregulated in Australia?
In Australia, cryptocurrency is regulated by two main authorities. The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) is responsible for regulating digital currency exchange providers (DCEs) under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.
What percent of Australians own crypto?
According to the 2025 Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index report, approximately 6.2 million Australian adults now own or have owned cryptocurrency, representing 31 per cent of the adult population.
Why is crypto taxed in Australia?
For tax purposes, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats cryptocurrency as property. This means individuals and businesses must pay capital gains tax on profits made from cryptocurrency transactions.
Please be aware that all investments involve risk, including the potential loss of part or all of your invested capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should ensure that you fully understand the risks involved and consider seeking independent professional advice suited to your individual circumstances before making any decision.
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