Coinbase Secures Australian Financial Services Licence to Offer Crypto, Stocks, Futures, and Payments

Coinbase Moves Into Australian Market With Full Financial Services Licence

Coinbase has secured an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), positioning the U.S. crypto exchange to expand beyond digital assets into derivatives, equities, payments, and traditional financial products.

The licence, issued by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and including retail derivatives authorisation, allows Coinbase to operate under the same regulatory standards as conventional financial institutions.

How Will Coinbase Expand Its Offerings in Australia

John O’Loghlen, regional managing director for APAC at Coinbase, said the AFSL will initially enable the exchange to offer crypto and equity perpetuals.

He added the licence will open doors to futures, options, stock trading, and payments in the near future.

O’Loghlen said,

“We’re going to compete with traditional financial services on stock trading, payments and other TradFi products with the speed and execution of crypto.”

The new licence requires Coinbase to meet strict standards for conduct, disclosure, governance, and consumer protection, aligning its operations with mainstream financial providers.

Adam Judd, Chief Operating Officer of Coinbase Australia and previously an executive manager at CommSec with over a decade at ASIC, will serve as the responsible manager, ensuring the company adheres to these regulatory requirements.

What Australia’s New Digital Assets Framework Means for Coinbase

The move comes ahead of the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, which passed both houses of the Australian Parliament on 1 April and is awaiting royal assent.

Once enacted, the law will take effect 12 months later, requiring all digital asset platforms to hold an AFSL and follow the same standards as traditional financial services providers.

Coinbase’s early approval positions it ahead of rivals still waiting for the regulatory framework to take effect.

Is Australia Becoming a Key Market for Crypto

Australia has been a focus for Coinbase since it began serving customers there in 2016.

The company incorporated a local subsidiary in 2022, joined the Digital Economy Council of Australia, and has been active in discussions on crypto regulation.

The Australian crypto market continues to grow, with the Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index estimating that 33% of Australians now hold some form of cryptocurrency, up from 31% in 2025.

The study also noted a rising trend in crypto being used for payments.

How Coinbase Is Building Its Local Team

Alongside the licence, Coinbase has strengthened its Australian operations with senior hires across legal, compliance, marketing, and operations.

These hires will support the expansion from a crypto-focused offering to a broader suite of regulated financial products.

The company has also worked with RMIT’s Blockchain Innovation Hub on Web3 research and launched services for self-managed superannuation funds, providing new ways for Australians to include crypto in retirement savings.

What the Future Holds for Coinbase in Australia

With the AFSL in place, Coinbase plans to deliver its so-called ‘Everything Exchange’ to Australian customers, combining crypto trading with traditional financial instruments through a single platform.

O’Loghlen emphasised the benefits of regulation, stating,

“Thoughtful regulation is good for customers, good for the industry and good for Australia's ambition to be a leading digital economy in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The licence and local expansion give Coinbase a regulated foundation to compete in retail derivatives and other financial markets while setting a benchmark for compliance and consumer protection in the Australian crypto sector.