ASIC Pushes Crypto Licensing Deadline Back to September 2026

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has given digital asset businesses more time to comply with its licensing requirements.

In an official release published on Thursday, the regulator said it extended the temporary “no-action” period, with the new deadline now set for September 30, 2026, instead of June 30, 2026. The extension gives companies an additional three months to comply with Australia’s crypto licensing framework.

Extra time for crypto firms to comply

The extension affects digital asset businesses that provide financial services in Australia. It includes companies applying for an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence, the primary licence needed to operate legally in many financial activities. It also covers firms that may need an Australian Market Licence or a Clearing and Settlement (CS) facility licence.

These licences are important for businesses that handle trading systems, settlement processes, or financial markets. ASIC also extended the relief to companies that operate through authorized representatives or intermediary arrangements with already licensed firms.

ASIC’s plan for a smoother transition

ASIC said the extension is part of its broader plan to help the crypto industry move into a fully regulated environment without sudden pressure. Firms are expected not only to apply for licences but also to notify ASIC in writing and, in some cases, participate in preliminary meetings before submitting formal applications.

According to ASIC, around 30 licence applications have been received since October 2025, when updated guidance on digital assets was released.

Legal basis and future rules ahead

The regulator’s approach started after updating Information Sheet 225, also known as INFO 225. This guidance explains how Australian financial laws apply to digital assets. It says many crypto products are treated as financial products under current law. This means many crypto companies cannot operate without an AFS licence. ASIC believes the law is wide enough to cover new technology like crypto, even if it was written before digital assets existed.

This view was supported by a court decision in the Block Earner case. The High Court ruled that a crypto yield product offered by the company was a financial product under Australian law. This helped confirm ASIC’s interpretation and made the rules clearer for the industry.

Meanwhile, this current extension is separate from Australia’s upcoming Digital Asset Framework. That law was passed in April and will begin on April 9, 2027. When it starts, it will bring crypto trading platforms and digital custody services fully into the financial licensing system. This means more formal rules and stronger oversight for the industry.

ASIC has also warned that companies already applying under INFO 225 may still need extra approvals in the future. These may include Digital Asset Platform (DAP) and Tokenised Custody Platform (TCP) authorisations once the new system begins. So even if firms get a licence now, they may still need more permissions later.

Additional authorizations expected

The extended no-action rule also covers firms applying for market licences and clearing and settlement licences. These companies must notify ASIC in writing and attend early meetings before completing their applications. This helps the regulator better understand each business before approving.

ASIC said the extension is intended to support a smoother regulatory transition while protecting investors and giving businesses additional time to prepare.

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