Coinbase Receives Financial Services License in Australia, Eyes Expansion

By Jason Chau

Coinbase Global, the U.S.'s largest cryptocurrency exchange, said that its Australian subsidiary has received a financial services license, allowing the firm to launch crypto and equity trading in the country.

Coinbase said Wednesday that it has been granted an Australian Financial Services License by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, with a retail derivatives authorization, making it the first crypto exchange to receive this approval directly from Australian regulators.

With the new license, Coinbase plans to bring its 'Everything Exchange' to Australia, initially offering crypto and equity perpetuals trading, followed by expansion into other financial products and services including futures and options, stock trading and payments.

"We have long believed that 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," said John O'Loghlen, the company's Asia Pacific managing director.

Coinbase added that Australia has been a key market since it began serving customers there in 2016. It incorporated an Australian subsidiary in 2022 and set up a dedicated local platform, and joined the Digital Economy Council of Australia to actively engage with policymakers on the development of cryto regulation.

The license came ahead of new legislation that will bring digital asset exchanges under the same regulatory framework as traditional financial services providers, including on disclosure and consumer protection, and requires them to hold an active license.

The news also came amid a protracted slump in the crypto market since late last year, with the largest token Bitcoin down more than 40% since its peak in October.

Write to Jason Chau at jason.chau@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 08, 2026 01:24 ET (05:24 GMT)