As cryptocurrency adoption rates grow, not every country is taking the same approach to regulations and reform. With the number of Australians owning cryptos rising from 28% last year to 31% in 2025, now is a good time to consider whether crypto reform in the country could boost the industry.
The Current Situation
The question of whether new crypto regulations are needed was raised recently by Coinbase’s APAC Managing Director, John O’Loghlen, who called the current situation in Australia vague and not suitable for long-term growth. He said that clear rules are needed to “support innovation, protect consumers, and attract long-term investment”.
The launch of a crypto taskforce is among the ideas mentioned by O’Loghlen, who said that this should be done in the first 100 days of the formation of the new government that Australians will vote for on May 3. This was one of five steps he outlined, together with allowing stablecoin use, getting clarity on tax issues, resolving the debanking issue, and providing support for Web3 startups. On that final point, O’Loghlen confirmed that local talent is currently heading to places like Dubai and Singapore to seek opportunities.
The Australian Treasury revealed some details of its plans for regulating this sector last month. While the information was presented at a high level, it showed that the custody of digital assets is one of the key concerns likely to be dealt with in upcoming legislation. The other areas mentioned above aren’t currently included in the stated plans.
What Types of Businesses Are Likely to Offer Crypto to Customers?
To understand the opportunities that could arrive in the Australian crypto market in the future, it’s worth considering the types of businesses that are likely to offer crypto services to their customers. Exchanges, wallet providers, mining companies, and crypto casinos are among the companies present in this industry, while others may simply accept tokens as a form of payment for goods and services.
To operate a crypto business, it’s important to understand the different types of crypto license needed for each of these kinds of business, as well as the steps to be taken to obtain one. With regulatory authorities in locations such as Hong Kong, Lithuania, and Bulgaria among the leading names, new ventures need to assess the type of license that’s needed and where to get it from. The application process varies from one country to another, with the process in Lithuania taking five to six weeks, while in Estonia it should take up to 60 days.
What Might Happen Next?
For the moment, Australian entrepreneurs looking to benefit from the increasing prominence of cryptocurrencies need to deal with a lack of clarity, which is causing them to look elsewhere to start businesses and obtain the licenses needed to operate legally. The emergence of clearer laws in the country would allow startups to become established here, helping the country to stake its claim as a crypto hub and an important player in the growing Web3 economy.
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