Australia Cracks Down Hard: Rogue Crypto Exchanges Face 10% Fines in Regulatory Blitz

Down Under gets tough on digital asset delinquents.

The Regulatory Hammer Drops

Australian authorities just unleashed a 10% penalty regime targeting non-compliant cryptocurrency platforms. This isn't some gentle warning—it's a financial gut-punch designed to force rogue operators into compliance or out of business entirely.

Cleaning Up Crypto's Wild West

The move signals Australia's determination to shed its 'digital frontier' reputation. Regulators are drawing clear lines in the sand, demanding exchanges play by traditional finance rules while somehow still embracing blockchain's disruptive potential.

Market Impact and Industry Backlash

Expect compliance costs to skyrocket across the board. Legitimate operators welcome the clarity, but smaller platforms might get crushed under the weight of new requirements. The usual suspects are already crying regulatory overreach—because apparently following basic financial safeguards is 'innovation-stifling.'

Global Implications

Watch other nations take notes. Australia's 10% fine structure could become the new international benchmark for crypto enforcement. When traditional finance finally figures out how to regulate digital assets, they really don't mess around.

Because nothing says 'we're serious about innovation' like threatening innovators with double-digit penalties—the financial sector's favorite way to show they 'get' disruption while actually maintaining business as usual.

Mulino says the licensing framework will support the growth of the crypto industry

In a consultation, the Treasury said the draft legislation WOULD change the Corporations Act 2001 to “capture digital asset platforms and tokenized custody platforms by introducing each as a new financial product.”

This would classify digital asset platforms (DAPs) and tokenized custody platforms (TCPs) as financial products, thereby bringing them under the full scope of licensing requirements and consumer protections, according to a Treasury fact sheet.

“The focus of the framework is businesses that hold assets on behalf of clients, rather than on the digital assets themselves,” said the Treasury, noting that digital assets already fall under the state’s existing frameworks and are treated in the same way as other assets.

Presently, anti-money laundering and know-your-customer rules are the only requirements for crypto platforms in Australia. However, the new proposed laws will extend oversight by requiring AFSL registration.

The penalties for violations, including dishonest or deceptive conduct, would also be set at whichever is greater: A$16.5 million, three times the advantage gained, or 10% of yearly sales. Nonetheless, the rules can still be altered, with industry participants allowed to comment on the draft until October 24. 

In the past few months, the nation’s key regulators, including financial regulators, the tax authority, and the central bank, have cautioned against Australians’ rising exposure to crypto assets. In August, AUSTRAC even ordered Binance Australia to appoint an external auditor over compliance concerns.

So far, the Treasury has claimed that the planned rules will enhance the protection of crypto consumers. Federal Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino stated that the reforms are meant to nurture the sector while shielding Australians from potential losses, stressing that regulation will give investors more confidence in digital assets. He noted, “It is about legitimising the good actors and shutting out the bad.”

John O’Loghlen, Australian Country Director and APAC Managing Director of Coinbase also commented: “Clear, fit-for-purpose regulation will support economic growth, increase choice for consumers, and ensure Australia remains competitive globally.We look forward to working constructively with government and industry as the legislation progresses.”

Moreover, Jonathon Miller, general manager at Kraken, noted that he was pleased to see the draft finally published after a thorough collaboration period between industry players and regulators.

The Australian government is planning on instituting stablecoin licensing rules

According to the federal government, the legislation excludes digital asset creators and firms using crypto for non-financial activities. That means tokens used in video games and artistic NFTs remain outside the scope of regulation.

It also noted that tokens that function as financial products will fall under current regulations, and ASIC is set to clarify in November which tokens will need an AFSL. Moreover, smaller platforms that process under $10 million in transactions yearly and hold under $5,000 per client will be exempt.

Meanwhile, the country’s authorities are also working on a comprehensive payments licensing regime to cover digital assets such as stablecoins. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) may oversee stablecoin issuers once the new “stored-value facilities” framework is implemented.

The ASIC has also recently licensed two Australian dollar–backed stablecoins, AUDM from Macropod and AUDF from Forte, classifying them as non-cash payment facilities. Adding to the momentum, Coinbase announced Wednesday that it will add support for a third Australian dollar stablecoin, AUDD, enabling local users to buy, sell, convert, and transfer it.

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