The Australian authorities has doubled down on its dedication in the direction of a strong regulatory framework for crypto following the catastrophic collapse of FTX final week.
A spokesperson for Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the Treasury stated it’s now planning on rules to enhance investor safety subsequent yr, in keeping with a Nov. 16 report from the AFR.
The spokesperson made the announcement in mild of the FTX’s fall final week, stating that it was carefully monitoring the fallout from the FTX collapse, “together with additional volatility in crypto-asset markets and any spillovers into monetary markets extra broadly,” including:
“These developments spotlight the dearth of transparency and client safety within the crypto market, which is why our authorities is taking motion to enhance the regulatory frameworks whereas nonetheless selling innovation.”
The decision for fast-tracked regulation comes as 30,000 Australians and 132 corporations have fallen sufferer to Sam Bankman Fried’s fallen empire.
Michael Bacina, digital asset specialist at Piper Alderman legal professionals, informed Cointelegraph that regulation was the one approach ahead to re-establish the much-needed belief in buying and selling platforms:
“Regulatory certainty is essential to rebuilding belief in relation to centralized exchanges, and whereas legislation can’t eradicate dangerous habits, it could actually set highly effective norms and requirements which make that habits simpler to search out.”
Whereas Danny Talwar, the pinnacle of tax at crypto tax platform Koinly Australia, added {that a} strong regulatory regime might fill within the holes the place retail traders are left to be exploited:
“Following the FTX fallout highlights the necessity for wise rules inside the crypto world, each domestically and throughout the globe, so as to eradicate uncertainty and remaining gray areas and supply readability round digital belongings — particularly for retail shoppers.”
“[But] the problem shall be guaranteeing that regulation does as supposed to successfully defend shoppers with out suppressing business progress,” he added.
As for what the regulation might entail, Talwar famous that whereas Australian buying and selling platforms should adjust to the Australian Transaction Reviews and Evaluation Centre (AUSTRAC), suggestions have been put ahead to determine a market licensing regime.
The regime would come with “capital adequacy and auditing requirements to show the operational integrity” of buying and selling platforms, which Talwar harassed is of nice significance provided that many exchanges are providing high-yield merchandise at a heightened threat so as to acquire a aggressive edge.
Associated: Australian prudential regulator releases roadmap for cryptocurrency coverage
Bacina additionally acknowledged that the “measured method” taken by the Australian authorities might additionally place the nation to change into an business chief in digital asset regulation:
“When Australia brings in technology-enabling custody guidelines for centralized holders of crypto-assets, we’ll both be a pacesetter within the house, or catching up, relying on how briskly different jurisdictions, like Singapore and Europe, transfer to make guidelines.”
The Treasury can be trying to present larger safety to traders by establishing a “token mapping” system, which is able to assist determine how sure digital belongings ought to be regulated, in keeping with an Aug. 22 assertion by Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones.
