312 Crypto Exchanges Registered in Australia, Regulator Confirms

312 Crypto Exchanges Registered in Australia, Regulator Confirms

The Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the country’s financial intelligence agency and anti-money laundering regulator, has been regulating the crypto industry since April 2018. A spokesperson for the regulator told news.Bitcoin.com on Monday that “Since April 2018, AUSTRAC has regulated digital currency exchange providers to minimize the risk of criminals using them for money laundering, terrorism financing and cybercrime,” adding:

Currently, there are 312 digital currency exchange providers registered and enrolled with AUSTRAC.

This latest number represents a 27% increase, or 66 more crypto exchanges, from the number a spokesperson for the regulator told news.Bitcoin.com in February last year. At that time, 246 entities had been registered with AUSTRAC.

The spokesperson further explained that Australia’s “Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 requires digital currency exchange providers to formally register with AUSTRAC and implement anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing controls within their business.” According to the agency’s website:

If you are a digital currency exchange provider, you must be registered with AUSTRAC before you can provide digital currency exchange services. It is against the law to provide digital currency exchange services in Australia without being registered.

If registered crypto exchanges do not meet their obligations for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing, AUSTRAC can take steps to enforce compliance and seek a penalty.

So far, the regulator has canceled the registration of three companies: Webpark Pty. Ltd., Auscoin ATM Pty. Ltd., and ACN 625 238 735 Pty. Ltd. In addition, the registration of Cryptocurrency Transaction Machines Pty. Ltd. has been suspended. Three more companies were refused registration: Jwon1 Pty. Ltd., Easy Bitcoin Trading Pty. Ltd., and The Gold Buying Company Pty. Ltd. The regulatory, however, does not publish the list of all approved crypto exchange service providers.

Meanwhile, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is responsible for regulating crypto assets and tokens that fall under the definition of financial products, including companies seeking to raise funds through initial coin offerings (ICOs). Australian securities laws may apply, including the requirement to hold an Australian financial services license, which is needed to conduct a financial services business in the country.

What do you think of the number of registered crypto exchanges in Australia? Let us know in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. It is not an offer or solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation, endorsement, or sponsorship of any products, services, or companies. Bitcoin.com does not provide investment, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Neither the company nor the author is responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods or services mentioned in this article.

Images courtesy of Shutterstock and AUSTRAC.

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The post 312 Crypto Exchanges Registered in Australia, Regulator Confirms appeared first on Bitcoin News.

 

source: https://news.bitcoin.com/crypto-exchanges-australia/

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