Australia ASIC Classifies Stablecoins as Financial Products: New Rules 2025

In 2025, ASIC classifies stablecoins and yield products as financial assets under Australian law, tightening crypto oversight.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the country's corporate regulator, updated Info Sheet 225 in October 2025. Stablecoins qualify as financial products under existing law. Wrapped tokens, tokenised securities, and yield products like staking join the list. Bitcoin and NFTs remain exempt.

License Mandate

Firms offering these assets need an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) to operate legally. They must join the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA), an external dispute resolution scheme, for consumer complaints. Stablecoin distributors receive transitional relief. Applications close 30 June 2026.

Investor Protections

Rules apply traditional finance safeguards, including disclosures for lock-ups and returns. Blockchain APAC, a regional industry group, views the update as a certainty boost. The Digital Economy Council of Australia (DECA), the peak body for blockchain and digital assets, praised the mainstream integration but flagged ASIC's potential delays in processing licenses.

Broader Context

The changes follow Treasury's closed consultations on unified crypto laws. They align with global standards like the EU's MiCA. Firms now assess compliance costs. No immediate exits reported.