Coinbase Targets Stock Trading in Australia After Securing Financial Services Licence

Highlights:

• Coinbase secured a major licence in Australia to expand its local business.
• It plans to offer new trading products, with more services likely later.
• The move strengthens Coinbase as Australia tightens rules for crypto platforms.

Coinbase is preparing to go beyond crypto in Australia after securing a major local licence that strengthens its position in one of its key international markets. On Wednesday, the crypto exchange said its local arm, Coinbase Australia Pty Ltd, has received an Australian Financial Services Licence, or AFSL, from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. 

Coinbase Licence Opens Door to  New Products in Australia

With that approval in place, Coinbase plans to launch crypto and equity perpetuals for Australian users first, with futures and options expected later, John O’Loghlen, regional managing director for APAC at Coinbase, said. The company also said the licence supports its wider push into services such as stock trading and payments through the Coinbase app.

Coinbase said the licence marks an important step as Australia moves to tighten oversight of digital asset platforms. The company noted that it received the AFSL before the new rules take effect, which will require crypto exchanges to hold this kind of licence. That puts Coinbase in an early position as the country reshapes its regulatory framework. 

The move also aligns with Australia’s Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025, which aims to bring digital asset platforms under a more tailored financial services regime.

“Thoughtful regulation is good for customers, good for the industry and good for Australia’s ambition to be a leading digital economy in the Asia-Pacific region,” O’Loghlen said.

Coinbase’s announcement shows that the company no longer sees Australia as just a market for crypto trading. It wants to roll out its “Everything Exchange” model in the country. Under that plan, Coinbase will start with digital asset products and gradually add more services over time. The broader goal is to compete more directly with traditional financial firms.

It's a good day to be Australian 🇦🇺

We’re the first crypto exchange to secure an Australian Financial Services Licence with a retail derivatives authorization.

We can now build the Everything Exchange down under.

Crypto and equity perps first – options to follow! pic.twitter.com/Z5T88QMhne

— Coinbase 🛡️ (@coinbase) April 7, 2026

“As we expand the Everything Exchange, we’re going to compete with traditional financial services on stock trading, payments and other TradFi products with the speed and execution of crypto – all from the Coinbase app,” the company stated.

The Crypto Firm Expands its Base in Australia

Coinbase said it has operated in Australia since 2016. In 2022, it set up Coinbase Australia Pty Ltd as its local entity, registered with AUSTRAC, and launched a local platform that included PayID support, Retail Advanced Trading, and 24/7 customer service. The new AFSL now gives the company a stronger and more formal base to expand its product lineup in the country.

Coinbase also said Adam Judd, the chief operating officer of Coinbase Australia, will oversee the licence. The company noted that Judd previously worked at CommSec and spent more than 10 years at ASIC in senior regulatory and market structure roles. That experience could help Coinbase navigate a market where regulators are watching crypto platforms more closely and placing greater focus on consumer protection.

Australia’s strong crypto adoption makes it an important market for Coinbase. By meeting local rules early, the company is laying the groundwork for long-term growth. As Australia’s new digital asset framework moves closer, other crypto firms may also start taking the same route.