The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 (Cth) (the Bill) marks a significant step in bridging digital asset intermediaries within Australia’s financial services regime.
On 8 April 2026, the Bill received Royal Assent, amending the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). The Bill proposes key changes to cryptocurrency exchanges, custodians and certain wallet providers to operate under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), aligning them with traditional financial institutions.
The meaning of digital tokens
The concept of a ‘digital token’ is narrowed to an electronic record that one or more persons are capable of factually controlling (the ability to transfer, exclude others and demonstrate control). The definition also enables regulators to prescribe classes of electronic records.
