Australia Passes April 1st, 2026 Law Requiring Crypto Exchanges to Hold Financial Services Licenses
On April 1st, 2026, Australia passed legislation requiring cryptocurrency exchanges and custodians operating in the country to obtain financial services licenses. The framework aims to boost transparency and investor protection across a local crypto market valued at $16.5 billion (AUD 24 billion), including stricter KYC and anti-money laundering controls. Firms that do not comply may face major penalties, ranging from large fines to possible shutdowns.