What is AFSL?
An Australian Financial Services Licence — required for crypto platforms under the Digital Assets Framework from April 2027.
An AFSL — Australian Financial Services Licence — is ASIC's licence for businesses dealing in financial products, and it's becoming central to crypto regulation. Under Australia's incoming digital-asset framework, platforms holding client assets above modest thresholds need an AFSL, bringing obligations that AUSTRAC registration never imposed: capital requirements, dispute resolution membership, and conduct standards.
This is the regulatory story of 2026 for Australian crypto — the September licensing deadline is reshaping which platforms can lawfully serve Australians and how. Our AFSL tracker follows where every exchange stands.
See it in practice
Related terms: AUSTRAC · KYC · Custodial · full glossary
FAQ
What's the difference between AUSTRAC registration and an AFSL?
AUSTRAC registration covers anti-money-laundering obligations — identity checks and reporting. An AFSL is ASIC's financial services licence, with capital, conduct and dispute-resolution requirements. The new framework requires major crypto platforms to hold both.
Does my exchange need an AFSL right now?
It depends on timing and thresholds under the transitional rules — which is exactly what our AFSL tracker monitors platform-by-platform, updated as ASIC processes applications.
General information only, not financial advice. Definitions are maintained in our fact database and reviewed with the daily rebuild.