The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), an independent government body that acts as the national corporate regulator, has identified regulatory gaps in fast-growing fintech areas, particularly digital assets.
The regulator’s new report titled “Key issues outlook 2026” released on Tuesday expressed concern that consumers are exposed to the rapidly expanding and unlicensed crypto, payment and artificial intelligence companies.
It argued that it is up to the government to decide whether to bring these new products or services under the regulatory purview, while warning that some entities may actively seek to remain unlicensed, adding to the “perceived regulatory uncertainty.”
This behavior by some firms mandates that ASIC remain focused on monitoring regulatory limits and keeping licensing rules clear in 2026, the regulator said.
ASIC’s warning comes weeks after Australia introduced amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 to outline rules for companies that handle customers’ digital assets.
