ASIC Sets Final Crypto Licensing Deadline: September 30, 2026

Australia's corporate regulator, ASIC, has set a firm deadline for digital-asset businesses to apply for or vary an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence by September 30, 2026. The move marks the end of ASIC's no-action position, which had provided a temporary reprieve from licensing requirements.

The extension added three months and broader interim pathways for affected businesses to map their services against licensing obligations and choose an interim route. However, it was not a permanent exemption from the rules.

Businesses that do not satisfy the arrangement's conditions by September 30 may be exposed to civil and criminal penalties for breaches of financial-services law, with potential fines reaching 10% of annual turnover.