Digital currency exchange (DCE) registration in Australia

About This Company

The Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 sets out the notification process for acquiring a registered virtual asset service provider. No percentage-based ownership threshold applies to change of control under this legislation. A registered provider must notify AUSTRAC via AUSTRAC Online within 14 days of changing its beneficial owners or key personnel. This step constitutes post-completion notification rather than prior approval. The submission must include new personnel's police checks alongside any criminal or civil enforcement history. If AUSTRAC considers that the incoming ownership poses a money-laundering, terrorism-financing or serious-crime risk, it can suspend, cancel or attach conditions to the registration. The statutory coverage encompasses virtual asset exchange, virtual asset transfer and virtual asset safekeeping pursuant to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 2024. The authorisation is domestic and does not passport. To verify the standing of the target entity before closing, the buyer must run an interactive search on AUSTRAC's web application using the business name. A valid entry confirms the legal name, ABN, registered services and any existing regulatory conditions. AUSTRAC operates from Barton, Canberra, and charges AUD 0 as a government application fee.