AUSTRALIA
Australian Senator Proposes Digital Asset Regulation Bill
Senator Andrew Bragg has proposed a Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023 to regulate cryptocurrency services in Australia. The bill recommends stablecoin regulations, licensing of exchanges, and custody requirements to protect consumers and promote investment.
OKX to Open Office in Australia
Brand Ambassadors Daniel Ricciardo, Scotty James, and McLaren F1 driver Oscar Piastri join event at Melbourne Arts Centre to celebrate ahead of Australian Grand Prix
Australian Banks Ordered to Report Crypto Transactions
The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has ordered local banks to report on cryptocurrency transactions amid concerns over the contagion of recent banking collapses, including that of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). The regulator is seeking more information and insight into banking exposures to crypto assets and associated risks.
Binance Australia Derivatives Closes Accounts After False Classification
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission would "target" the company's "classification of retail and wholesale customers."
Scammers Target Australians in Cryptocurrency Call Center Scheme
An Israeli-run cryptocurrency fraud targets Australians, according to a raid on Eastern European scam call centers.
Binance Australia Derivatives starts closing certain positions and accounts
Binance Australia Derivatives are for wholesale investors exclusively, according to a separate notification.
Australia Opens Public Consultation on National Taxonomy of Crypto Assets
A crypto licence and custody document will be released in mid-2023.
Australia's Government is Bolstering Its Market Regulator's Digital Asset
The new Australian government has devised a "multi-stage strategy" to combat cryptocurrency frauds, safeguard consumers, and increase enforcement.
Australia Breaks Into Top 3 Nations for Crypto ATM
Australia has 234 crypto ATMs, third worldwide behind the US and Canada. Australia has added 16 ATMs since Jan. 1, while Spain has lost 4 and El Salvador hasn't.
Australian crypto executives urge caution on regulation
Crypto CEOs warn against classifying all digital assets as financial instruments. Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones said he was "not that enticed" to creating new rules for a financial product. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian financial authorities support recognising all crypto assets as financial products (SMH). SMH editor-in-chief David Jones argues the FTX crash proves crypto regulation is needed.
Australian Bitcoin ATMs Demonstrate Lightning Network
Coolangatta has its first Lightning Network-enabled Bitcoin ATM. Bitcoin Lightning ATMs operate like regular Bitcoin ATMs but faster. Crypto ATMs number 38,602, with 6,071 added in 2022.
Market Downturn Triggers Delisting of Crypto ETFs in Australia
Crypto winter is considered to have caused low demand for such ETFs in Australia. Cosmos Asset Management said it plans to delist three of its cryptocurrency ETFs on the Cboe stock exchange.
Australia to Continue Treating Cryptos as Assets
According to the Australian government's budget announcement on Tuesday, legislation will be put upon treating digital currencies such as bitcoin as an asset.
Coinbase Introduces PayID and Premium Services for Aussie Retail Customers
Coinbase offers three new services for Aussie clients. One of these features would allow customers to use PayID as a way to top up their accounts with Australian Dollar transfers.
Australian CBDC Pilot Test to Commence Next Year - RBA
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has published a Whitepaper to give additional insights into its proposed Central Bank Digital Currency, dubbed the eAUD.