ASIC warns unlicensed crypto firms of September 30 licensing deadline

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a final warning to unlicensed cryptocurrency firms regarding a September 30, 2026, deadline. Companies currently operating under temporary regulatory relief must complete the necessary licensing steps before the no-action protection expires on October 1.

Failure to comply may result in civil or criminal penalties, with potential fines reaching up to 10% of a firm's annual turnover. Since ASIC revised its guidelines in October 2025, the regulator has received more than 45 applications for digital asset authorizations.

This regulatory push is distinct from the broader Digital Assets Framework, which is scheduled to take effect on April 9, 2027. While the upcoming framework will integrate digital asset platforms and tokenized custody services into the existing financial services licensing system, the current deadline focuses on immediate compliance with existing financial services laws.