The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre announced that Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime now brings a broader range of crypto and other virtual asset businesses under supervision. Digital currency exchange providers are being renamed virtual asset service providers, and all businesses providing virtual asset services must register with AUSTRAC and comply with AML and CTF obligations. The reforms are intended to close gaps that criminals have used to move illicit funds through crypto and other virtual assets and to align Australia with global standards. Ahead of the changes, AUSTRAC said it had cleaned up the former digital currency exchange register to reduce the risk of misuse. A targeted review in late 2025 identified 128 businesses that appeared to no longer be trading, and 62 exited the sector through registration action or voluntary withdrawal. AUSTRAC has also made a searchable public virtual asset service provider register available, while continuing to treat the virtual asset sector as a priority high money-laundering risk in its national risk assessment and 2025–26 regulatory priorities.
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC)2026-03-31
Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre expands AML and CTF oversight of virtual asset service providers and publishes searchable register
The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre announced that Australia’s expanded anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regime now brings a broader range of crypto and other virtual asset businesses under supervision, with digital currency exchange providers renamed virtual asset service providers, all required to register with AUSTRAC and comply with AML/CTF obligations. The reforms aim to close gaps exploited to move illicit funds and align Australia with global standards, and AUSTRAC has cleaned up the former register, removed inactive entities, launched a searchable public virtual asset service provider register, and continues to treat the sector as a priority high money-laundering risk.