Regulatory Alerts2026-04-02
Added · Updated
Public Register Makes It Harder for Criminals to Launder Money Through Crypto
AUSTRAC has expanded Australia’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws to strengthen oversight of the virtual asset sector and mandate registration for all digital currency exchange providers, now renamed virtual asset service providers. The regulator has launched a searchable public register and conducted a targeted cleanup that removed 62 inactive or dormant businesses to prevent the misuse of registration credentials for money laundering. These reforms close existing regulatory gaps, align Australia with international standards, and maintain a high barrier to entry to deter serious and organised crime while supporting legitimate innovation.