Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the regulatory green light, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in Australia.
Australia is mid-upgrade: AUSTRAC registration and the AFSL perimeter govern today, and the Digital Assets Framework Act - passed in April 2026 - brings platform licensing under ASIC from 9 April 2027. We run both tracks so you enter once, correctly.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
Australia in brief
The upgrade is law. The clock is running.
Australia's crypto rules ran for years on two rails: AUSTRAC registration for digital currency exchanges under AML law, and the AFSL regime wherever a product crossed into financial-services territory. That era is ending on a published schedule. The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 passed Parliament on 1 April 2026, received Royal Assent on 8 April, and commences on 9 April 2027 - bringing digital asset platforms (DAPs) and tokenised custody platforms (TCPs) into the Australian financial services licensing system under ASIC. ASIC has published an eighteen-month implementation roadmap: consultation first, regulatory guidance by early 2027, licence applications opening ahead of commencement, and its long-standing INFO 225 no-action position expired in June 2026.
Strategically, that makes 2026-27 the entry window. Operators serving Australians today still need AUSTRAC registration and a defensible AFSL analysis; operators planning for 2027 need files built against the new Act from the start. The market justifies the effort - a wealthy, crypto-literate population, deep superannuation capital warming to digital assets, and a common-law system global groups already know. We run the whole sequence: entity, AUSTRAC, AFSL analysis, and the DAP/TCP application when the gateway opens.
Mid-upgrade on a statutory clock: AUSTRAC + the AFSL perimeter today; the Digital Assets Framework Act - passed 1 April 2026 - brings DAP/TCP licensing under ASIC from 9 April 2027.
ASIC's 18-month roadmap is published; INFO 225's no-action era ended June 2026. Files built now convert first.
The two tracks
Compliant today - licensed for 2027.
Two regimes, one strategy: AUSTRAC and the AFSL perimeter govern operations now; the DAP/TCP licence is what the market looks like from 9 April 2027. We build files that serve both.
AUSTRAC and AFSL govern now; DAP/TCP licensing is the market from 9 April 2027.
01 - TODAY · AUSTRAC + AFSL
DCE registration & AFSL coverage
The current gateway: AUSTRAC registration for exchange operations under AML law, plus an AFSL wherever tokens or services qualify as financial products. The analysis that decides everything.
The current gateway: AUSTRAC registration for exchange operations under AML law, plus an AFSL wherever tokens or services qualify as financial products. The analysis that decides everything.
- ✓Digital currency exchange registration (AUSTRAC)
- ✓AML/CTF programme and reporting
- ✓AFSL analysis - product-by-product
- ✓Financial-product tokens need full licensing
- ✓INFO 225 no-action era ended June 2026
- ✓The operating base until April 2027
02 - FROM 9 APRIL 2027 · DAP/TCP
Act passed - 8 April 2026The Digital Assets Framework
The new law: digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms licensed under the AFSL system, supervised by ASIC. With guidance and application windows on a published 18-month roadmap.
Platforms and tokenised custody join the AFSL system. Applications open ahead of commencement.
- ✓DAP licensing - platforms holding client assets
- ✓TCP licensing - tokenised custody
- ✓AFSL obligations: conduct, disclosure, capital
- ✓ASIC guidance through the 2026-27 roadmap
- ✓Applications open ahead of commencement
- ✓We build 2026 files that convert cleanly
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. AUSTRAC registration, AFSL analysis and DAP/TCP preparation are scoped individually. The sequencing is the strategy, and it is fixed in writing first.
Why Australia
A wealthy market with a published timetable.
The framework rests on AML law and the Corporations Act today, and on the Digital Assets Framework Act 2026, supervised by ASIC, from April 2027.
✓
The rules are now law
No more consultation limbo: the Act passed on 1 April 2026 with commencement fixed for 9 April 2027. You can plan against statutory text and ASIC's published roadmap. A certainty few markets offer.Passed April 2026; live April 2027.
✓
A wealthy, crypto-literate market
High adoption across a prosperous population, with the world's fourth-largest pension pool - superannuation. Increasingly open to digital assets. The demand side is funded.High adoption + the super pool.
✓
The entry window is real
Licence applications open ahead of April 2027 on ASIC's roadmap. Groups that prepare in 2026 file first, shape supervisory practice and meet a market where latecomers queue.File early; latecomers queue.
✓
ASIC's stamp travels
An AFSL is one of the most respected financial licences in the Asia-Pacific. Banks, partners and institutions read it as full financial-services grade, because it is.Full financial-services grade.
✓
Common law, English, familiar
Corporate structures, custody law and contracts run on the common-law patterns global groups already use - no translation layer, legal or cultural.No translation layer.
✓
Clean tax mechanics
GST-free crypto trading, a 50% CGT discount for individuals holding over 12 months, and ATO guidance mature enough to plan against. The tax layer is knowable.GST-free trades; 50% CGT discount.
How it compares
How Australia differs from other routes.
Australia pairs a wealthy domestic market with a fixed statutory timetable. Slower than the Gulf, more certain than most. The comparison is below.
Australia vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  Australia | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regime today | AUSTRAC + AFSL perimeter | Dedicated crypto licences |
| Regime from Apr 2027 | DAP/TCP under ASIC - law passed | Already-live frameworks |
| Market | Wealthy, super-funded | Varies widely |
| Certainty | Statute + published roadmap | Often still consulting |
Regime today
AustraliaAUSTRAC + AFSL perimeter
Other jurisdictionsDedicated crypto licences
Regime from Apr 2027
AustraliaDAP/TCP under ASIC - law passed
Other jurisdictionsAlready-live frameworks
Market
AustraliaWealthy, super-funded
Other jurisdictionsVaries widely
Certainty
AustraliaStatute + published roadmap
Other jurisdictionsOften still consulting
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | AUSTRAC + AFSL → DAP (2027) | 30%/25% CIT · 50% CGT discount | Act passed; regime Apr 2027 |
 Singapore | MAS licences (PSA/FSM) | 17% CIT · no CGT | 9-12+ months, selective |
 Japan | CAESP registration (FSA) | ~30% corp · to 55% personal | Strictest custody bar in crypto |
 United Kingdom | FCA MLR → FSMA (2027) | 25% CIT · CGT 18/24% | Exacting AML bar, 6-12 months |
AustraliaLicense typeAUSTRAC + AFSL → DAP (2027)
Taxation30%/25% CIT · 50% CGT discount
RequirementsAct passed; regime Apr 2027
SingaporeLicense typeMAS licences (PSA/FSM)
Taxation17% CIT · no CGT
Requirements9-12+ months, selective
JapanLicense typeCAESP registration (FSA)
Taxation~30% corp · to 55% personal
RequirementsStrictest custody bar in crypto
United KingdomLicense typeFCA MLR → FSMA (2027)
Taxation25% CIT · CGT 18/24%
RequirementsExacting AML bar, 6-12 months
Before you apply
Requirements across both tracks.Requirements across both tracks.
Today's compliance and tomorrow's licence share one foundation: an Australian entity, vetted people and defensible product analysis. The checklist below is what the combined file contains.
01
Australian entity. A locally incorporated company (Pty Ltd) with real operations and resident directors as required.
02
AUSTRAC registration. Digital currency exchange enrolment with a full AML/CTF programme and reporting.
03
AFSL analysis. Token-by-token and service-by-service assessment of what constitutes a financial product today.
04
Fit & proper people. Responsible managers with demonstrable financial-services competence for the AFSL system.
05
Financial resources. Capital and solvency sized to obligations under the AFSL regime the DAP/TCP licence joins.
06
Custody design. Client asset segregation and key management to the standard the new Act formalises.
07
Systems and security. Platform architecture ASIC can review, with incident and outsourcing controls.
08
Conduct and disclosure. The design-and-distribution and disclosure frameworks AFSL holders run.
09
AML/CTF alignment. The AUSTRAC programme integrated with the licensing file, not parallel to it.
10
The 2027 conversion plan. DAP/TCP application prepared against ASIC's guidance as it lands on the roadmap.
01
Australian Pty Ltd with real operations.
02
AUSTRAC DCE enrolment + AML/CTF programme.
03
Defensible AFSL product analysis.
04
AFSL-grade responsible managers.
05
Capital sized to AFSL obligations.
06
Custody and segregation design.
07
Reviewable systems and security.
08
Conduct and disclosure frameworks.
09
Integrated AML and licensing file.
10
DAP/TCP conversion plan for 2027.
Reflects the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026, ASIC's implementation roadmap and AUSTRAC requirements as of 2026. INFO 225's no-action position expired in June 2026.DAF Act 2026 + ASIC roadmap + AUSTRAC rules, as of 2026.
How it works
From first call to the ASIC gateway.
01
Perimeter and strategy
Today's AUSTRAC/AFSL position and the 2027 DAP/TCP plan. Sequenced and fixed in writing.Today + 2027, sequenced in writing.
02
Australian company and people
Pty Ltd, resident arrangements and responsible managers with the competence the AFSL system demands.Pty Ltd + responsible managers.
03
Compliance base
AUSTRAC enrolment, AML/CTF programme and the documented product analysis that keeps today lawful.AUSTRAC + documented AFSL position.
04
The DAP/TCP application
Built against ASIC's guidance as the roadmap publishes it. Filed when applications open ahead of commencement.Filed when the window opens.
05
Licence and operation
AFSL-system authorisation from 9 April 2027, launch under ASIC supervision, and the reporting calendar we can keep running.Live under ASIC from Apr 2027.
Quick facts
RegulatorsAUSTRAC · ASIC
Act passed1 April 2026
Royal Assent8 April 2026
Regime commences9 April 2027
Roadmap18 months, published
INFO 225 no-actionexpired June 2026
Corporate tax30% · 25% base rate
CGT discount50% > 12 months
ASIC's roadmap publishes guidance before applications open. Files tracked against it convert first.
On the ground in Australia
Run from our Sydney office.
Prifinance - Australia
Sydney · Australia
Sydney, Australia
01
Australian company formation
Pty Ltd incorporation, resident directorship arrangements and the corporate layer both AUSTRAC and ASIC expect.Pty Ltd + resident arrangements.
02
AUSTRAC and the AFSL analysis
DCE enrolment, the AML/CTF programme and the product-perimeter analysis that determines licensing needs - documented defensibly.Documented, defensible, current.
03
The DAP/TCP file
Application prepared against the Act and ASIC's rolling guidance. Filed when the window opens, ahead of the 2027 queue.Tracked against ASIC guidance.
04
Substance and staffing
Responsible managers, compliance staffing and local arrangements. Assembled with Australian counsel.With Australian counsel.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in Australia.
Mature ATO guidance, GST-free trading and a CGT system with a genuine long-hold discount. The tax layer is among the most knowable anywhere.
Corporate tax 30% / 25%
The full rate is 30%, with 25% for base-rate entities under the aggregated-turnover threshold. Platform and custody profits follow ordinary rules with full deductions.Base-rate entities discounted.
CGT with a 50% discount
Individuals holding crypto over 12 months discount capital gains by half before marginal rates apply. The structural reward for patient holders.For holds over 12 months.
GST-free crypto trading
Digital currency trades have been GST-free since 2017. The 10% tax touches fees and services under ordinary rules, not the traded asset.Since 2017; 10% on services.
ATO guidance is mature
A decade of rulings covers trading versus investment, staking, forks and record-keeping. Positions are researchable before you take them, and data-matching means they are checked.Researchable, data-matched.
Superannuation capital
Self-managed super funds already allocate to crypto under existing rules. The licensed 2027 regime is expected to widen institutional pathways to the world's fourth-largest pension pool.The 4th-largest pension pool.
Losses and structure
Ordinary loss and grouping rules apply; trading-stock treatment for dealers versus CGT for investors drives outcomes. We model the character before you commit.Investor vs trader - modelled first.
Tax summary
Corporate tax30% · 25% base rate
Personal CGTMarginal · 50% discount
GST on crypto tradesGST-free
Standard GST10%
Dedicated crypto taxNone
Tax treaties45+
*Figures as of 2026. Investor-versus-trader characterisation changes everything. We document the position before launch.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: Australian Pty Ltd, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, compliant business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Australia · ASIC & AUSTRAC
Launch your crypto project in Australia with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to AUSTRAC, the AFSL analysis and the 2027 DAP gateway.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is Australia the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The Australian crypto licence: frequent questions.
What does a crypto business need in Australia today?+
AUSTRAC registration as a digital currency exchange with a full AML/CTF programme - plus an AFSL wherever tokens or services qualify as financial products. The product analysis is where most risk hides, and where we start.
What is the Digital Assets Framework Act?+
The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 - passed 1 April 2026, Royal Assent 8 April - brings digital asset platforms (DAPs) and tokenised custody platforms (TCPs) into the AFSL licensing system under ASIC, commencing 9 April 2027.
When can we apply for the new licence?+
ASIC's published 18-month roadmap runs consultation, then regulatory guidance, then licence applications opening ahead of the April 2027 commencement - with transitional relief for operators in the queue. We track the roadmap and file early.
What happened to INFO 225?+
ASIC's class no-action position expired in June 2026 - the informal era is over. Operators must stand on AUSTRAC registration and a defensible AFSL analysis until the new regime commences.
What substance is expected?+
An Australian Pty Ltd with resident directorship arrangements, responsible managers of AFSL-grade competence, real custody and systems controls, and an AML/CTF programme AUSTRAC can audit.
How are crypto companies taxed?+
30% corporate tax - 25% for base-rate entities - with GST-free crypto trading and ordinary deductions. The ATO's guidance is among the most developed anywhere.
And individuals?+
Capital gains at marginal rates with a 50% discount after a 12-month hold; traders fall under ordinary income rules instead. The ATO data-matches exchange records - clean books are assumed.
Can foreign groups enter?+
Yes - through Australian subsidiaries with local substance; the AFSL system is nationality-blind but competence-heavy. Several global platforms already operate under AUSTRAC registration and are preparing DAP files.
Why prepare now rather than wait for April 2027?+
Because the queue forms before the gate opens: applications begin ahead of commencement, guidance lands through 2026-27, and operators with files tracked against the roadmap convert first - while serving the market lawfully in the meantime.
Why Australia rather than Singapore or Japan?+
Singapore is selective, Japan is slow and strict - Australia offers a wealthy, funded market with a statutory timetable you can build against. For Asia-Pacific strategies, the practical answer is often Australia plus one of the others; we sequence both.
What is needed today?+
AUSTRAC registration + a defensible AFSL analysis.
The new Act?+
Passed 1 Apr 2026; DAP/TCP under ASIC from 9 Apr 2027.
When to apply?+
Ahead of commencement - the roadmap says when.
INFO 225?+
No-action expired June 2026.
Substance?+
Pty Ltd, responsible managers, real controls.
Company taxes?+
30%/25%; GST-free trading.
Personal taxes?+
CGT with 50% discount > 12 months.
Foreign groups?+
Yes - subsidiaries with local substance.
Why now?+
The queue forms before the gate opens.
Australia vs others?+
Certainty + a funded market - often both.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
Start today
One message away from your Australian entry.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which Australian track fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, AUSTRAC or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.