The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has updated its class no-action letter for digital asset businesses, extending its sector-wide no-action position to 30 September 2026. The change gives firms providing financial services an additional three months to apply for or vary an Australian Financial Services licence as they transition to the licensing regime clarified in Information Sheet 225. The same deadline extension applies to firms that need an Australian Market Licence or a Clearing and Settlement facility licence. ASIC has also widened the relief to cover digital asset businesses operating under, or entering into, authorised representative arrangements or intermediary authorisation arrangements with an Australian Financial Services licence holder. For firms seeking an Australian Market Licence or Clearing and Settlement facility licence, the relief continues to be subject to notifying ASIC in writing of an intention to apply and holding a pre-meeting with the regulator. ASIC said it has received about 30 licence applications from digital asset businesses since October 2025, after it updated Information Sheet 225 to clarify how existing, technology-neutral financial product and service laws apply to digital assets and related products.
Australian Securities & Investments Commission2026-06-25
Australian Securities & Investments Commission extends digital asset licensing no action relief to 30 September 2026 and broadens its scope
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission has extended to 30 September 2026 its no-action position for digital asset businesses transitioning to licensing under existing financial services laws. The relief now also covers authorised representative and intermediary authorisation arrangements with Australian Financial Services licence holders. It also continues to apply to firms that need an Australian Market Licence or Clearing and Settlement facility licence, subject to the stated notification and pre-meeting requirements.