AML/CTF Act Australia: What Crypto Businesses Must Do by 2026

When it comes to AML/CTF Act Australia, Australia’s legal framework requiring businesses to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Also known as the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006, it’s no longer optional for crypto exchanges, wallets, or token issuers—compliance is mandatory by March 2026. This isn’t just paperwork. It’s about who can operate legally in Australia, and what happens if you don’t follow the rules.

The AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence unit that regulates crypto businesses under the AML/CTF Act. Also known as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, it’s the agency that enforces these rules doesn’t play around. If you run a crypto exchange in Australia—or even just serve Australian users—you must register with them. That means proving you know who your customers are, tracking every transaction over $1,000, and reporting anything suspicious. The Travel Rule, a global AML requirement that forces crypto platforms to share sender and receiver info for transfers above $1,000. Also known as FATF Rule 16, it’s now binding in Australia means you can’t just let users send crypto anonymously. You need to collect names, IDs, and wallet addresses. And yes, that applies to DEXs too—if they’re accessible to Australians.

Penalties aren’t just fines. They’re business killers. In 2025, a major Australian crypto platform got hit with a $12 million penalty for failing to report suspicious activity. Executives faced personal liability. Others were shut down completely. The crypto AML rules Australia, the specific compliance obligations under the AML/CTF Act for digital asset businesses cover everything from staff training to record keeping. You need a written compliance program, a designated officer, and audit trails that last seven years. No excuses. No gray areas.

What you’ll find in the posts below aren’t theory pieces. These are real-world breakdowns of what compliance looks like in practice. From how exchanges like those listed here are adapting to AUSTRAC’s requirements, to what happens when a platform ignores the rules, to how the Travel Rule affects everyday users. You’ll see which companies got fined, which ones got licenses, and what steps you can take to stay legal—even if you’re just starting out. This isn’t about fear. It’s about clarity. If you’re building, trading, or investing in crypto in Australia, you need to know where the line is—and how to stay on your side of it.