By 2030, the global market for tokenized assets could reach $16 trillion. Australia intends to take a key position in it - and it has a clear plan.
On April 8, 2026, an event occurred in Australia that changed the landscape of digital finance. The Royal Assent approved the Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026 (DAF Act) - the country's first comprehensive law on regulating digital assets. And already on April 20, 2026, the regulator - the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) - presented a clear roadmap for implementation.
This is not just another rule change. This is ASIC's global plan to integrate blockchain into the country's financial system. It outlines everything from licensing crypto exchanges to standards for working with tokenized assets. And market participants have exactly 18 months to prepare.
In 2023, about 31.6% of Australians owned or still own cryptocurrency - one of the highest rates in the world. The number of crypto ATMs in the country exceeded 1,200. At the same time, the share of illegal activity involving cryptocurrencies was less than 1%.
However, what worked for Bitcoin and Ethereum stopped working for tokenized stocks, bonds, or real estate. The old rules failed to account for the specific nature of digital assets, creating a "gray zone" and risking alienating institutional investors.
"Tokenisation is likely to have a broad impact on financial markets. We are working with other government agencies, including foreign partners, to support these innovations" - from ASIC's Corporate Plan for 2025-2026.
What Exactly Does the DAF Act Change? Key Concepts
The DAF Act introduces two new concepts into Australian legislation:
· Digital Asset Platform (DAP) - a digital platform for trading assets (an analogue of a crypto exchange, but in a broader sense).
· Tokenised Custody Platform (TCP) - a platform for tokenized custody of assets (a custodian).
The essence of the reform: Previously, the regulator tried to "fit" crypto businesses into existing categories (e.g., "managed investment scheme"). Now, a separate, clear licensing regime is being created. Companies working with digital assets no longer have to guess whether they need an AFS (Australian Financial Services Licence). The law directly states: yes, you need one, and from April 9, 2027 - under threat of liability.
Roadmap. 18 Months to Full Clarity
ASIC has broken down the process into three key stages. This is a strict but transparent schedule.
Stage Timeline (from April 2026) Key Events
Stage 1. Consultations Months 1-6 (until Oct 2026) Holding roundtables, creating an industry advisory group. June 30, 2026 - expiration of the "no-action letter" INFO 225.
Stage 2. Standards Months 6-12 (until Apr 2027) Publication of the draft Regulatory Guide, implementation of standards for custody, transactions, and financial requirements.
Stage 3. Launch Months 12-18 (until Oct 2027) From April 9, 2027 - opening of license applications, regulatory relief during the review period.
Final From October 2027 Full commencement of supervision and enforcement regime.
The Three Pillars of New Standards
To obtain a license, operators must comply with three groups of standards, which ASIC will detail throughout 2026.
1. Custody Standards
· What it is. Regulation of how the platform stores client funds and cryptocurrency.
· Essence. Assets must be held in a separate account (segregation), in a trust, with clear reporting and the client's right to withdraw funds.
2. Transaction and Settlement Standards
· What it is. Rules for trading platform operations.
· Essence. Prohibition of manipulation, duty of best execution, price transparency, control over market makers, and the existence of business continuity plans.
3. Financial Requirements
· What it is. Capital and liquidity requirements.
· Essence. The operator must have net tangible assets, a liquidity reserve (a "safety cushion"), and undergo regular audits.
RWA and Stablecoins
ASIC's plan directly addresses the two hottest topics in the market: Real World Assets (RWA) and stablecoins.
Tokenization of Real World Assets (RWA) is the issuance of digital tokens backed by stocks, bonds, real estate, or even art. According to Boston Consulting Group, the RWA market could grow to $16 trillion by 2030.
Here's what's happening right now:
· BTC Markets (a major Australian exchange) has already notified ASIC of its plans to obtain a license to trade tokenized RWAs.
· BlackRock launched the BUIDL tokenized fund on Ethereum.
· The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is testing tokenized settlements as part of a CBDC pilot (Project "Acacia").
Under ASIC's new rules, "a token is a law" . If a digital asset is by its nature a financial instrument (providing a right to dividends, a share of profits), it is subject to all requirements of the Corporations Act.
As for stablecoins, ASIC will primarily assess them as a "non-cash payment facility". This means the issuer will also require an AFS licence, and the stablecoin itself will be subject to oversight by AUSTRAC (financial intelligence) under AML/CTF rules.
Conclusion
ASIC's global plan is more than just rules. It is Australia's strategic bet on blockchain. If everything goes according to schedule, by 2028 the Australian market could become one of the most transparent and attractive in the world for institutional investors in digital assets.
Will Australia remain on the sidelines of the tokenization boom, or will it lead it? We will find out the answer in 18 months.