Blockchain Australia Celebrates a Decade of Innovation and Growth Media Statement 02 February 2024 For Immediate Release  Blockchain Australia, the peak industry body for blockchain in Australia, is proud to celebrate its ten-year anniversary. This significant milestone marks a decade of commitment to fostering innovation, education, and policy development in the blockchain sector. Since its inception in 2014, Blockchain Australia has been at the forefront, advocating for the adoption of blockchain technology across various industries. The organisation has played a pivotal role in pr ..read more

Blockchain Australia Responds to Bendigo Bank and Adelaide Bank banning high-risk payments for 2.3M clients to digital currency exchanges Media Statement 10 August 2023 For Immediate Release  In light of the recent announcement by Bendigo and Adelaide Bank to ban certain “high-risk payments” to digital currency exchanges, Blockchain Australia addresses concerns raised by our members, Digital Currency Exchanges and the wider digital currency industry. Collaboration is EssentialBlockchain Australia recognises the efforts of the Australian banking sector, including Bendigo and Adelaide Ban ..read more

ASIC Led Raid on Member Digital Currency Exchange – Statement Media Statement 5 July 2023 Blockchain Australia acknowledges the recent ASIC raid on Binance Australia. ASIC, as the regulatory body overseeing Australian companies, financial markets, financial service providers, and the cryptocurrency sector, has been granted by the Parliament, a broad range of information-gathering powers to uphold the law and ensure market integrity. We appreciate and respect this mandate. ASIC’s powers, executed with a ‘proper purpose,’ allow for compulsory information collection through various channels, in ..read more

Stopping Scams – Blockchain Australia Roundtable Media Release 28 June 2023 Blockchain Australia, the peak industry body for blockchain in Australia, hosted a Stopping Scams Roundtable at Sydney University as part of Blockchain Week.  With 28 representatives in attendance covering the key payment sector, data providers and leading digital currency exchanges, as well as FinTech Australia and observers from ASIC and Treasury, the discussion focused on: Recently published data showing a dramatic increase in scams;   How digital currency exchanges can help reduce scams impacting Aust ..read more

Response to the Upcoming Payment Security Measures from Innovative Payment Provider and Cuscal Media Statement 19 June 2023 An innovative payment provider, partnered with Cuscal as its backend banking support, has recently circulated a survey to digital currency exchanges which refers to changes to Cuscal’s merchant terms.  Blockchain Australia supports efforts to enhance and promote secure digital transactions while still preserving users’ freedom to decide how to spend their own money and use their own assets. Blockchain Australia Chair and Digital Assets Lawyer Michael Bacina said “I ..read more

Response to Banking Limits on Crypto Payments Media Statement 14 June 2023 As Australia’s peak industry body representing the Blockchain and digital currency industry, Blockchain Australia recognises the challenges presented by crypto-related scams and fraud. We have launched the following initiatives:- Starting an education program for consumers on crypto and it’s benefits including how to identify scams: crypto isn’t bad, scammers are bad; Recognising good actors in our space who uphold best practices and seek acknowledgement of those practices by the banks; and Conducting an Industry Rou ..read more

Strategic Priorities 2023 – 2024 Mission & Vision  Blockchain Australia’s mission is to encourage the responsible adoption of blockchain technology by industry and government across Australia as a means to drive innovation in service delivery across all sectors of the economy. As Australia’s peak industry network, Blockchain Australia envisions Australia as a leading economic hub for the development and proliferation of blockchain and distributed ledger technology in business on an internationally competitive scale. The organisation will shape the business environment through indust ..read more

Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023 Consultation The Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2023, introduced by Senator Andrew Bragg is open for consultation until May 19th. The Bill aims to protect consumers and promote investment by recommending regulatory changes for stablecoin issuers, licensing of exchanges and those providing custody. Regulation of crypto-assets is a technology matter which must be above politics, and Blockchain Australia advocates for a shared responsibility for the regulation of crypto involving members, policymakers and industry stakeholders. As the digita ..read more

  Blockchain Australia is the peak industry body in Australia representing members of the blockchain and digital assets community.  Our members include leading Australian digital currency exchanges, who have come together to make the below statement together with Blockchain Australia, to show that we speak up and stand united for the highest standards to protect users. We welcome the Treasury’s move to open consultations to safeguard crypto custody arrangements and regulate exchanges next year.  In the interim, to demonstrate our digital currency exchange members’ continuing co ..read more

The recent collapse of FTX and alarming allegations of mishandling of client assets in that company have been viewed with concern by Blockchain Australia and our members. The collapse of FTX exchange is likely to lead to significant financial impacts on many users, many of which are Australian. Blockchain Australia stands with our members in condemning in the strongest possible terms the misuse of client assets and lack of transparency around this recent collapse of a centralised exchange. We strive to set high standards in policy engagement and expectations around conduct among our members to ..read more