tl;dr
Gemini secures AUSTRAC registration, streamlining crypto services in Australia with local banking integrations and a push for financial services licensing.
**Gemini Bolsters Presence in Australia with AUSTRAC Registration and Local Expansion**
In a significant move to strengthen its foothold in the Asia-Pacific market, crypto exchange Gemini has formally registered with Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, paving the way for expanded services in the country. The registration marks a pivotal step for Gemini, which has long been eyeing Australia’s growing crypto landscape, and comes as new regulatory frameworks for digital asset exchanges are set to take effect.
### Regulatory Milestone and Market Expansion
Gemini Intergalactic Australia, Pty Ltd, the exchange’s local entity, is now officially registered with AUSTRAC, a prerequisite for offering crypto services in Australia. Prior to this, Australian users accessed Gemini’s platform through its global entity, which required cumbersome cross-border transfers. The new registration enables local users to trade directly in Australian dollars (AUD) via integrated banking solutions like the New Payments Platform (NPP) and PayID, streamlining transactions and enhancing user experience.
The Australian government’s proposed draft law, which aims to extend financial services oversight to crypto firms, underscores the sector’s maturation. Under the proposed rules, exchanges would need licenses under the Corporations Act, aligning with Gemini’s commitment to compliance. “Our decision to expand into Australia has been in motion for some time,” said Saad Ahmed, Gemini’s head of APAC. “While we welcome the government’s efforts to strengthen oversight, our focus on Australia stems from its strong market potential.”
### Strategic Leadership and Local Integration
To spearhead its Australian operations, Gemini has appointed James Logan, former Country Manager for Luno in Australia and a veteran in the crypto space, as Head of Australia. Logan’s experience at Bitget, where he expanded digital asset access, positions him to navigate the region’s competitive landscape.
The exchange’s local integration also addresses previous inefficiencies. “Funding accounts through SWIFT transfers to U.S. banks was inefficient and cumbersome,” Ahmed noted. The new system eliminates cross-border friction, offering users faster and more cost-effective transactions.
### Differentiation in a Competitive Market
Gemini aims to stand out in Australia’s increasingly competitive crypto market by emphasizing “liquidity, regulatory rigor, and brand trust.” Ahmed highlighted the exchange’s reputation as a “non-cowboy-type” operator, contrasting it with more speculative players. “That pedigree holds a lot of weight, especially in a market like Australia,” he said.
### Future Plans and Regulatory Ambitions
Beyond its current offerings, Gemini is pursuing an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), which would allow it to offer regulated products like derivatives for wholesale clients. This move aligns with the exchange’s mission to build a “secure, trusted ecosystem for both retail and institutional users.”
### Australia’s Rising Crypto Adoption
Australia’s crypto market is thriving, with 22% of the population owning digital assets, according to Gemini’s *Global State of Crypto 2025* report. This adoption rate mirrors that of the U.S., reflecting robust retail and institutional interest. As Gemini solidifies its regulatory compliance and local infrastructure, the exchange is poised to capitalize on the nation’s growing demand for trusted digital asset solutions.
With its AUSTRAC registration, strategic leadership, and tailored services, Gemini is not just entering Australia’s market—it’s positioning itself as a key player in the country’s evolving crypto ecosystem.