Australia lists cryptocurrency regulatory loopholes as key risks for 2026

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has identified cryptocurrency regulatory loopholes as one of the key risks for 2026, pointing out that rapidly growing cryptocurrency, payment, and artificial intelligence companies operating at the regulatory edge may pose risks to consumers of unlicensed consulting and misleading behavior. Australia is advancing the Companies Law Amendment (Digital Asset Framework) Act 2025, which aims to require companies that manage clients' digital assets to hold an Australian financial services license. ASIC emphasizes that some companies operate legally outside the existing regulatory scope, but there are also some entities that intentionally evade regulation, exacerbating regulatory uncertainty.