VASP licence (Australia)
The Registration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register) is issued by Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) under Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. The application fee is AUD 0 (no government application fee). Ownership changes need the regulator's approval before completion.
At a glance
| Official name | Registration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register)1 |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) registration · DCE · Digital Currency Exchange Register · VASP · AUSTRAC VASP register · AUSTRAC registration · Australian VASP · Australian crypto exchange registration |
| Market names to check | Australian crypto licence: there is no Australian crypto licence; the entity is registered with AUSTRAC for AML/CTF |
| Issued by | Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre |
| Jurisdiction | Australia |
| Licence family | Virtual asset service provider (non-MiCA) |
| Legal basis | Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 20061 Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Act 20242 |
| Passporting | Domestic only |
| Application fee | AUD 0 (no government application fee)3 |
What it lets you do
| Virtual asset exchange (FATF) | Exchanging virtual assets for fiat currency or for other virtual assets as a business, as defined in the FATF glossary. |
|---|---|
| Virtual asset transfer (FATF) | Conducting transactions that move virtual assets between addresses or accounts on behalf of another person. |
| Virtual asset safekeeping (FATF) | Safekeeping or administering virtual assets, or instruments enabling control over them, for another person. |
Where it is valid
Buying a company that already holds it
Notification only. No percentage-based ownership threshold applies. Registered remittance providers and VASPs must notify AUSTRAC of any change to beneficial owners or key personnel: including new personnel's police checks and any criminal/civil enforcement history: within 14 days of the change, via AUSTRAC Online. This is post-completion notification, not prior approval; AUSTRAC can still suspend, cancel or impose conditions on the registration if it considers the new ownership or personnel pose a money-laundering, terrorism-financing or other serious-crime risk. Legal basis: AML/CTF Act 2006 (Cth).4
Ready-made companies holding this licence: see verified positions.
VASP in other countries
| Country | Licence | Regulator | Min. capital | Application fee | Statutory time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) | VASP licenceFinancial Services Permission with Virtual Asset Activities Endorsement | FSRA | USD 250,000 | USD 20,000 | n/a |
| Australia | VASP licenceRegistration as a virtual asset service provider (VASP) on the AUSTRAC Virtual Asset Service Provider Register (formerly the Digital Currency Exchange Register) | AUSTRAC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class F (Full) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class M (Modified) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Bermuda | Digital Asset Business Class T (Test) Licence | BMA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| British Virgin Islands | Virtual Assets Service Provider Registration | BVI FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence | CIMA | n/a | KYD 5,000 | n/a |
| Cayman Islands | Virtual Asset Service Provider Registration | CIMA | n/a | KYD 1,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Advisory Services Licence | VARA | AED 100,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Custody Services Licence | VARA | AED 600,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Exchange Services Licence | VARA | AED 1,500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Lending and Borrowing Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Management and Investment Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 100,000 | n/a |
| Dubai (VARA) | Virtual Asset Transfer and Settlement Services Licence | VARA | AED 500,000 | AED 40,000 | n/a |
| Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) | Financial Services Permission with Crypto Token Activities Endorsement | DFSA | USD 1,000,000 | USD 15,000 | n/a |
| El Salvador | Proveedor de Servicios de Activos Digitales (PSAD) registration | CNAD | USD 2,000 | USD 5,475 | ~0.9 mo |
| Germany | Qualified crypto custody licence | BaFin | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Ireland | Virtual Asset Service Provider AML/CFT Registration | CBI | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Advisory Services (Class I) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Broker-Dealer (Class M) | FSC | n/a | MUR 2,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Wallet Services (Class O) | FSC | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Custodian (Class R) | FSC | n/a | MUR 5,000,000 | n/a |
| Mauritius | Virtual Asset Market Place (Class S) | FSC | n/a | MUR 6,500,000 | n/a |
| Seychelles | Virtual Asset Service Provider Licence / RegistrationVirtual Asset Service Provider Licence / Registration (Wallet Provider, Exchange, Broking, Investment Provider) under the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act 2024 | FSA | n/a | SCR 75,000 | n/a |
| South Africa | Crypto Asset Service Provider licenceCrypto Asset Service Provider licence (an FSP authorisation category under FAIS, not a MiCA-equivalent regime) | FSCA | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Switzerland | Financial intermediary / VASP SRO affiliation | FINMA | CHF 10,000,000 | CHF 1,600 | n/a |
| United Kingdom | Cryptoasset Business Registration (MLRs 2017) | FCA | n/a | GBP 11,260 | ~3 mo |
Values come from each licence's page, where every figure has its source.
Laws behind it
- Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006: Act No. 169, 2006 (Cth), registered compilation C2026C00274
Sources
- legislation.gov.au: text · retrieved 2026-09-24
- legislation.gov.au: text · retrieved 2026-09-24
- moneytransferlicence.com.au: is austrac registration free or paid · secondary · retrieved 2026-09-24
- austrac.gov.au: update your details · retrieved 2026-09-24
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