Australia

Capital / Liquidity

APRA Proposes Refined Capital Framework for Longevity Products

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/10/2025

APRA is advancing a more risk-sensitive capital framework to encourage life insurers to offer more competitively priced retirement income products, such as annuities.

Crypto / Digital Assets

ASIC Clarifies Crypto Rules, Classes Stablecoins as Financial Products

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 30/10/2025

ASIC has updated its guidance to confirm that many digital assets require a financial services licence, while providing a transitional no-action period until 2026.

Fintech / Regtech

Australian Stockbrokers Challenge ASIC's Proposed Automated Trading Rules

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2025

Industry body SIAA argues ASIC’s reforms are unjustified, overly costly, and jeopardise the 'last line of defence'.

Market Infrastructure

Australia Delays Card Surcharge Reforms Amid Clashing Industry Views

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2025

The RBA has pushed the decision to March 2026 after receiving extensive feedback on proposed surcharge ban and interchange fee cuts.

ASIC Warns Firms on Legal Duty to 'Put Customers First'

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2025

ASIC highlights enforcement on hardship and fees, signals move to publish firm-level complaint data to drive better consumer outcomes.

Enforcement

Australia Raids WiseTech Over Founder's 'Blackout Period' Share Trading

By Sanday Chongo Kabange | 29/10/2025

ASIC and the AFP searched WiseTech Global’s Sydney office over alleged share trading by founder Richard White.

Australia Consults on Draft Tax Rules for OECD Pillar Two

By Editors | 29/10/2025

The draft rules align with OECD guidance, introducing new elections for equity investments and clarifying treatment for securitisation and insurance entities.

Market Infrastructure

APRA to Undertake Targeted Review of Financial Sector AI Practices

By Manesh Samtani | 29/10/2025

The regulator warns that financial firms are now 'technology companies' and must manage risks from legacy systems, cyber threats, and reliance on third parties.

Enforcement

Entain's Bold Gamble on “Reasonable Precautions” Defence In AML Lawsuit

By Nathan Lynch | 29/10/2025

Sports betting giant Entain is punting on a novel AML/CTF defence, which could set a precedent for businesses that find themselves in AUSTRAC's enforcement crosshairs.