Australia's securities regulator has finalized a set of exemptions designed to make it easier for businesses to distribute stablecoins and wrapped tokens.
Key findings:
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ASIC has removed separate licensing requirements for intermediaries distributing stablecoins and wrapped tokens.
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Exceptions allow the use of omnibus accounts, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency.
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Industry leaders say clarity will accelerate real use cases for stablecoins as global demand continues to grow.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) said on Tuesday it was providing “class relief” for intermediaries involved in the secondary distribution of certain stablecoins and wrapped assets.
The update removes the need for separate Australian Financial Services (AFS) licenses when operating these products, easing the compliance burden that has long frustrated market participants.
Under the new measures, intermediaries will be able to use complex account structures, subject to proper record keeping.
ASIC noted that these frameworks are widely adopted across the industry, offering benefits in speed, lower operating costs and, in many cases, improved risk and cyber security management practices.
For issuers, this change represents a more level playing field. Drew Bradford, CEO of Australian stablecoin issuer Macropod, said the clarity gives companies “building confidence” as they expand their product lines.
He added that the streamlined approach, particularly around reserve management and asset management requirements, eliminates key challenges that previously slowed experimentation and growth.
Industry representatives have long argued that the old licensing rules were expensive and ill-suited to a sector awaiting broader digital asset reforms.
Bradford said the new clarity is critical to scaling real-world use cases such as payments, cross-border transfers, treasury functions and on-chain settlements.
“This signals that Australia intends to be globally competitive while maintaining the regulatory constraints that institutions and consumers expect,” he said.
Angela Ang, head of policy and strategic partnerships at TRM Labs, also praised the move, saying she expects Australia's regulatory framework to further strengthen in the coming year, a shift she believes will encourage further investment and innovation.
The policy change comes as global demand for stablecoins reaches new highs. According to RWA.xyz, the total market capitalization of stablecoins has exceeded $300 billion, an increase of 48% since the beginning of the year.
