Australia’s corporate watchdog has flagged crypto as a key “regulatory perimeter” risk for 2026, grouping digital assets alongside artificial intelligence and payments in its forward-looking priorities.
In its Key Issues Outlook 2026, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission said emerging sectors like crypto pose risks when businesses operate outside existing licensing, disclosure and conduct frameworks.
Rather than focusing on price volatility or adoption, the regulator emphasised structural risks linked to unlicensed activity, misleading conduct and firms operating at the edges of current law.
“Some entities will actively seek to remain outside regulation, contributing to perceived regulatory uncertainty,”
ASIC said in the report.
The watchdog said decisions on whether new crypto products should fall under formal licensing regimes ultimately rest with government, but maintaining clarity around licensing boundaries will be a core enforcement priority in 2026.
The warning comes as ASIC continues enforcement actions against unlicensed crypto firms, including a recent court order requiring BPS Financial to pay A$14 million over misleading conduct tied to its Qoin Wallet.
Australia is also moving to formally bring crypto platforms into its financial services regime, with draft Treasury legislation proposing that digital asset firms be required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence.