호주, 스테이블코인 사용 규제 완화 승인...디지털 자산 시장 강력 신호

호주 금융 당국이 스테이블코인 사용에 대한 규제 완화를 공식 승인하며 디지털 자산 생태계에 새로운 활력을 불어넣었다.

규제 장벽 붕괴

이번 조치는 기업과 소비자 모두가 스테이블코인을 더욱 쉽게 활용할 수 있는 길을 열었으며, 암호화폐 시장의 주류화를 가속화할 전망이다. 호주 정부는 디지털 금융 혁신을 지원하면서도 안정적인 금융 환경을 유지하기 위한 균형 잡힌 접근법을 보여주고 있다.

시장 반응 예측

금융 전문가들은 이번 규제 완화가 호주뿐만 아니라 전 세계적인 스테이블코인 adoption에 중요한 선례를 세울 것이라고 분석한다. 물론 전통 금융권에서는 또 다른 '위험한 실험'이라고 비판하는 목소리도 여전히 존재한다—그들이 언제나 그렇듯이 말이다.

스테이블코인의 진정한 가치는 단순한 디지털 화폐를 넘어 글로벌 금융 시스템의 효율성과 포용성을 혁신하는 데 있다. 호주의 이번 결정은 결국 더 넓은 암호화폐 생태계의 성장을 위한 발판이 될 것이다.

ASIC gives exemption to stablecoin distributors

ASIC has created the Corporations (Stablecoin Distribution Exemption) Instrument 2025/631 exemption to ease policies around stablecoin exchanges. Before this exemption, exchanges, brokers, and stablecoin platforms went through a long and costly process of applying for an AFSL. They also had to apply for market or clearing and settlement licenses, even when a licensed company already issued the specific stablecoin. Now, they don’t need a separate license as long as the stablecoin issuer already holds an AFSL.

AUDM by Catena Digital is the first token under this exemption, which means intermediaries can distribute it without applying for their separate licenses. However, ASIC still requires intermediaries to provide crucial information to clients, such as Catena Digital’s product disclosure statement (PDS) for AUDM (if the company prepared one). The PDS explains how the stablecoin works, the risks involved, and other important information people should know before trading it. 

ASIC said the exemption doesn’t change the legal status of stablecoins, but aims to allow companies to build more services for stablecoins while protecting consumers at the same time. In short, applying for a license is now simpler and quicker, but oversight on implementation remains strict.

This exemption is the first of its kind in Australia and shows that ASIC wants to promote innovations without sacrificing consumer safety.

ASIC plans to extend relief as the Treasury comes up with new rules

ASIC also hopes to extend this relief to other stablecoins in the future, but issuers must first apply for and receive an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL). With a license, the exemption can also apply to intermediaries, and users could access more stablecoins. The idea is to reduce the current pressure on intermediaries while the Australian Treasury works on a full and permanent framework for stablecoins.

CEO of Blockchain APAC, Steve Vallas, said ASIC’s exemption was practical because it removes a lot of friction that intermediaries face when they want to work with stablecoins. He added that the plan aligns with Australia’s financial services, but should be a temporary solution until the Treasury comes up with a permanent one.

The decision also connects to the work ASIC has been doing for the past year to explain how current financial laws apply to digital assets. The agency released a consultation paper called CP 381 in December 2024, which was linked to its updates to the guidance document known as INFO 225. In this document, ASIC requested public feedback on how the definitions of financial products should apply to many types of digital tokens. These included stablecoins, tokens created by crypto exchanges, meme coins, tokens backed by commodities, and wrapped tokens.

ASIC also included examples in the consultation paper to make it easier for businesses and intermediaries to understand when a digital asset should be treated as a financial product and what legal duties WOULD apply to them.

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