Bitaigen Research 
During the XRP Australia 2026 side event held in Sydney, John Aulgren, Managing Director for the Asia‑Pacific region at Coinbase, highlighted that Australia is showing a positive regulatory trend and that the professionalism of its regulators continues to improve. He noted that several government bodies, including the Treasury, are drafting a new regulatory framework, and that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has completed a systematic capability‑building program for its internal teams, amassing a substantial depth of digital‑asset expertise.
“So, I think we’re already seeing a fairly clear forward‑moving progress.”
Aulgren further explained that with the launch of products such as cryptocurrency exchange‑traded funds (ETFs), institutional interest is rising and entry barriers are falling. Australia’s first Bitcoin ETF went live in June 2024, and an Ethereum ETF is slated for launch in October 2024.
He also mentioned that Coinbase Global’s inclusion in the S&P 500 provides local institutions with a relatively passive channel to gain exposure to crypto‑related equities in a simpler manner.
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In this article we outline the latest regulatory developments in Australia and the newest observations from industry leaders, uncovering positive signals that appear even amid policy uncertainty. By analysing statements from a Coinbase executive and the domestic ETF rollout, readers can better understand the pathways for institutional participation and the potential challenges ahead—worth a close read to gauge the sector’s next steps.
Australia’s Legal and Regulatory Landscape Remains in Limbo
The legal environment for crypto remains uncertain. Veteran crypto attorney Bill Morgan disclosed that ASIC’s litigation with fintech firm Block Earner is still ongoing, with the core dispute revolving around whether Block Earner’s crypto products must hold a financial‑services licence. ASIC has appealed a Federal Court decision that was favorable to Block Earner, and the outcome of this case will directly shape the direction of industry regulation.
Morgan believes that recent changes in government have introduced delays to the legislative process.
“That’s partly due to the three‑year term factor. The former Liberal‑National coalition pushed the agenda fairly aggressively, but after the Labor Party took power four years ago, the related legislation stalled and had to be re‑started.”
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Some Lingering Issues Remain in Australia’s Crypto Space
Even as the regulatory tone improves, the industry still faces practical obstacles. In September 2022, OKX Australia’s Chief Executive Kate Cooper and other senior executives told Cointelegraph that users continue to encounter banking‑level restrictions when accessing exchanges and other crypto services—a problem the industry refers to as “de‑banking.”
Cooper noted that no significant breakthrough has been seen yet, “We are working closely with governments around the world to help shape appropriate standards.” Aulgren also called for regulation that protects blockchain‑payment innovation and strengthens support for domestic stablecoins.
“Regulatory frameworks must encourage innovation rather than unintentionally imposing limits.”
He added that as reforms to payment‑service‑provider regulation progress, policymakers must avoid mistakenly pulling non‑custodial‑wallet developers and public‑blockchain infrastructure providers into licensing regimes that are intended only for intermediaries.
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Self‑Managed Super Fund (SMSF) Investors Paying Attention to Crypto
Independent survey data shows that Australian public acceptance of crypto assets continues to rise. A 2025 report from Independent Reserve indicates that the proportion of people using cryptocurrency has reached 31%, up from 28% in 2024; additionally, 29% of respondents plan to make related investments within the next year.
2025 marks a new high in cryptocurrency adoption among Australians. Source: Independent Reserve
Against this backdrop, OKX’s growth engine is primarily driven by self‑managed super fund (SMSF) trustees and high‑net‑worth clients. Cooper pointed out that an increasing number of trustees are establishing dedicated self‑managed retirement funds to invest in digital assets, especially while traditional large pension funds have yet to open a gateway for such assets.
In an upcoming report on self‑managed retirement funds, she noted that respondents generally hope to achieve portfolio diversification through digital assets.
“Our research shows many people want to add a broader range of digital assets to their portfolios, and SMSFs are the key channel to make that happen.”
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Outlook
In summary, although the Australian crypto market still faces regulatory uncertainty and banking‑access challenges, the proactive steps taken by regulators, the gradual rollout of institutional products, and the rapid growth of self‑managed funds together provide a solid foundation for industry development. Executives across the sector broadly express optimism for the future, looking forward to clearer policies and a continuously improving innovation environment that could drive wider adoption of digital assets in Australia.
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