Coinbase secures Australian Financial Services License. The cryptocurrency exchange announced it has obtained the AFSL through its local entity, becoming the first competitor to achieve this regulatory milestone in Australia. The license authorizes Coinbase to offer retail derivatives trading, including cryptocurrency and equity perpetuals, with futures and options trading to follow. This positions Coinbase to compete directly with traditional financial services by leveraging cryptocurrency's speed and efficiency. The AFSL requires Coinbase Australia to meet the same conduct standards, disclosure guidelines, governance processes, and consumer protection rules as established TradFi institutions. The approval comes ahead of anticipated new legislation, the Corporations Amendment Digital Assets Framework Bill 2025, which is expected to mandate licensing for all digital asset exchanges.
