Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC): Digital asset firms must apply for licenses by September 30, or face potential penalties.

According to an official announcement from Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), firms relying on ASIC’s "no-action position" for the digital asset sector must apply for or amend an Australian Financial Services (AFS) license by September 30, 2026. Failure to meet this deadline may lead to violations of financial services laws starting October 1. ASIC added that entities needing either an Australian market license or a clearing and settlement (CS) facility license must also notify the regulator of their application intent in writing by the same date, and complete pre-application meetings. Firms failing to satisfy these requirements may face civil and criminal penalties, with maximum fines equal to 10% of their annual turnover. Since updating its digital asset regulatory guidelines in October 2025, ASIC has received over 45 relevant license applications. The regulator stated that ending transitional regulatory exemptions for digital asset businesses is a key step toward bringing the sector under formal regulatory oversight. Additionally, Australia’s Digital Asset Framework Amendment (DAF Act) was passed by parliament in April 2026, received royal assent on April 8, and will officially take effect on April 9, 2027. Even after the new framework is implemented, some existing licenses will remain valid.