Australia

Enforcement

Australian Financial Advisor Jailed for AUD 1 Mln Client Fraud

By Editors | 26/01/2026

Anthony Torre was sentenced to six years for stealing from clients' retirement funds.

AML / KYC

AUSTRAC Orders External AML Audit into Fintech Giant Airwallex

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 23/01/2026

AUSTRAC cited concerns over transaction monitoring and potential criminal exploitation, including for online child sexual abuse payments.

Fintech / Regtech

Australia Confirms Deferral of Major AML/CTF Reforms

By Nathan Lynch | 22/01/2026

Home Affairs is consulting on transitional rules to delay IVTS reporting, stagger independent evaluations, and ease compliance burdens for Tranche 1 and 2 entities.

Crypto / Digital Assets

Binance Restores AUD Bank Transfers After Two-Year Regulatory Freeze

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 20/01/2026

The exchange has re-established direct banking channels in Australia after a suspension prompted by a payments partner and regulatory scrutiny from ASIC.

Securities / Derivatives

ASIC Crackdown Secures A$40m in Refunds for Retail CFD Investors

By Mark Johnston | 20/01/2026

A regulator's review of 52 issuers found significant compliance breaches, leading to refunds for more than 38,000 retail investors and sector-wide changes.

Capital / Liquidity

ASX Proposes Overhaul of Capital Rules for Third-Party Clearers

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 19/01/2026

ASX is consulting on replacing its tiered capital model with a flat requirement and other changes for third-party clearers.

AML / KYC

Exclusive: Australia Set to Defer Core ‘Tranche 1’ AML/CTF Reforms

By Nathan Lynch | 15/01/2026

Australia is set to defer some key AML/CTF reforms until 2029, prioritising the Tranche 2 rollout and counter-terrorism ahead of the upcoming FATF mutual evaluation.

Fintech / Regtech

Australia Urged to 'Rightsize' Open Banking to Unlock A$10bn Boost

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 13/01/2026

The government's top economic advisory body has called for simplifying the costly CDR before further expansion, a move welcomed by the fintech sector.

Enforcement

How a South Sudanese General Regained Control of an Australian Mansion

By Nathan Lynch | 07/01/2026

A court judgment has allowed a South Sudanese PEP to retain control of a multi-million-dollar mansion in Victoria, highlighting the challenges facing the financial intelligence community.