The Australian authorities is bolstering its market regulator’s digital asset staff as a part of a “multi-stage approach” aimed toward clamping down on crypto and making certain correct threat disclosures from crypto companies.
A Feb. 2 joint assertion by Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones defined that the brand new measures are aimed toward defending shoppers coping with cryptocurrency.
The treasurers stated the multi-stage method would contain three components, together with strengthening enforcement, bolstering client safety, and establishing a framework for its token mapping reform.
This is why we’re taking motion on crypto. pic.twitter.com/17HG5nhsTz
— Stephen Jones MP (@StephenJonesMP) February 2, 2023
One of the primary modifications might be a rise in the dimensions of the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC)’s digital property staff and “upping enforcement measures.”
Chalmers and Jones stated ASIC would concentrate on making certain dangers to shoppers by crypto merchandise and repair suppliers are appropriately disclosed.
Cointelegraph reached out to ASIC to learn the way many further positions might be stuffed however didn’t obtain an instantaneous response.
Meanwhile, the federal government is about to give new instruments to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the nation’s competitors watchdog, to defend shoppers from crypto-related scams. It famous rip-off losses via crypto funds totaled $221 million in 2022.
The new device will come in the type of a real-time data-sharing device that the ACCC will use to establish and forestall crypto scams.
Consumer safety may even be bolstered when a framework is finalized to regulate the licensing and custody of digital property to “ensure consumers are protected from avoidable business failures or from the misuse of their assets by service providers.”
This framework is not going to nonetheless start till mid-2023, and can seemingly take appreciable time earlier than it’s applied into laws.
Related: An overview of the cryptocurrency rules in Australia
“The earlier authorities dabbled in crypto coverage however by no means took the time to future‑proof our regulatory frameworks to defend shoppers and information this new and rising class of property,” said the treasurers, adding:
We are acting swiftly and methodically to ensure that consumers are adequately protected and true innovation can flourish.”
The Australian Treasury released its token mapping consultation paper on Feb. 2, which attempts to determine which elements of the cryptocurrency ecosystem will be regulated and to what extent.
Consultation open! Today we launched the token mapping session paper. This session is a part of a multi step reform agenda to develop an applicable regulatory setting for the #crypto sector. Read paper & submit views @ https://t.co/4W2msjhP9B @ASIC_Connect @AUSTRAC pic.twitter.com/OGHuZEGvDp
— Australian Treasury (@Treasury_AU) February 2, 2023
The multi-stage method plan was fast-tracked by the catastrophic collapse of FTX in November which impacted over 30,000 Aussies and 132 Australian-based firms.