Australia’s corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), has introduced temporary exemptions from financial licensing requirements for companies involved in the resale of stablecoins. This initiative is designed to reduce bureaucratic obstacles in the digital asset sector while more comprehensive reforms are developed.
ASIC unveiled the changes on Wednesday through its Corporations (Stablecoin Distribution Exemption) Instrument 2025/631. Under the new rules, intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by holders of an Australian financial services (AFS) license can skip obtaining their own AFS, market, or clearing and settlement facility licenses.
“ASIC is committed to supporting responsible innovation in the rapidly evolving digital assets space, while ensuring important consumer protections are in place by having eligible stablecoins issued under an AFS license,” the agency stated in its announcement.
ASIC described the exemptions as a temporary-term fix until new rules for payment stablecoins are fully introduced. The new rules will last till June 1, 2028.
The exemptions target stablecoins deemed financial products under the Corporations Act and issued by qualified AFS licensees. For now, they apply solely to the AUDM stablecoin from Catena Digital Pty Ltd., the country’s first licensed issuer of such a token. ASIC indicated it could broaden the relief as additional issuers secure AFS approval.
Covered activities include offering general advice, acting as market makers, dealing in stablecoins (without issuing them), and providing custodial services. The regulator framed the step as a response to industry complaints about steep compliance burdens during a shift toward updated crypto guidelines, following feedback on a December 2024 consultation paper.
Aussie crypto users face bank limits
In Australia, crypto users face challenges as banks limit deposits to exchanges, even with new rules like anti-money laundering laws from 2018 and Bitcoin/Ether trading approvals in 2024. A recent Binance survey of 1,900 people showed 58% want easier fund transfers, and 22% switched banks for better crypto access.
Further, on September 2, 2025, Australia’s $2.8 trillion pension system opened to crypto, with exchanges like Coinbase and OKX offering products to direct retirement savings into digital coins, creating a new investment avenue.
On September 1, 2025, Australia’s retirement system became a new hub for cryptocurrency investment.
Also Read: BoE Faces Pushback Over Proposed Stablecoin Ownership Limits
