Australia’s securities regulator has given crypto companies more time to meet licensing requirements by extending its temporary relief program until September 30.
The extension provides businesses with an additional three months to comply with the country’s updated digital asset rules and replaces the previous June 30 deadline.
According to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the relief applies to companies seeking an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence, as well as businesses that may need market licences or clearing and settlement licences.
ASIC has also broadened the program to cover more firms, including digital asset businesses operating through authorized representatives or partnership arrangements with already licensed entities.
The regulator said it has received around 30 licence applications since updating its crypto guidance in October 2025. At that time, ASIC clarified that many crypto-related products fall under Australia’s existing financial services laws.
The extension is designed to give businesses additional time to transition into the licensing system while regulators continue reviewing applications.
After updating its guidance last year, ASIC introduced a temporary “no-action” approach that allowed eligible firms to continue operating while preparing and submitting licence applications.
Under Information Sheet 225 (INFO 225), ASIC explained that many digital asset products qualify as financial products under Australia’s technology-neutral legal framework. As a result, companies offering those products may need an AFS licence to operate legally.
The latest extension comes shortly after a major court victory for the regulator.
Australia’s High Court recently ruled unanimously in ASIC’s favor in its long-running case against Block Earner, a crypto investment platform operated by Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd.
The court found that Block Earner’s former fixed-yield crypto product qualified as both a financial investment facility and a derivative under Australian law. Judges concluded that investor returns depended on movements in digital asset prices and exchange rates, supporting ASIC’s view that certain crypto products should be regulated under existing financial services legislation.
The case will now return to the Full Federal Court, which will decide issues related to penalties.
While the temporary relief provides short-term certainty, larger regulatory changes are still on the horizon.
Australia’s Digital Asset Framework, approved by Parliament in April, is scheduled to take effect on April 9, 2027. Once implemented, digital asset platforms and tokenized custody providers will officially become part of the country’s financial services licensing regime.
ASIC has already warned that companies obtaining licences under the current system may need to secure additional approvals once the new framework comes into force.
The government is also considering broader tax reforms that could affect crypto investors.
One proposal would replace Australia’s current 50% capital gains tax discount with an inflation-adjusted model beginning July 1, 2027. Under the proposed system, investment gains would be adjusted for inflation rather than automatically receiving a tax discount after being held for more than one year.
If approved, the change could increase tax obligations for many long-term crypto investors during strong market cycles.
For now, the extension offers crypto businesses more breathing room as they work through the licensing process, but it also signals that Australia is steadily moving toward a more comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets.
