Australian authorities: “Regulatory gaps amid rapid growth in digital assets and AI… rising consumer risks”

Australian authorities have raised concerns that regulatory gaps are widening as the digital asset and artificial intelligence (AI) industries grow rapidly, increasing risks to consumers.

According to CoinDesk, a digital asset-focused outlet, on the 27th (Korea time) the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) warned in its annual report, “Key Issues Outlook 2026,” that “as the number of digital asset, payments and AI-related firms operating without licenses rises rapidly, consumers are being exposed to various risks.”

Specifically, ASIC said that new technology-based financial services, including digital assets, sit in blind spots of the existing regulatory framework, adding that whether these products and services fall under current financial regulation depends on the government’s policy judgment. It also noted that some firms appear to be deliberately remaining unlicensed to circumvent regulation, which is further increasing “regulatory uncertainty” in the market.

ASIC added that, in light of these circumstances, it plans to closely monitor regulatory boundaries in 2026 as well and focus its supervisory capacity on clarifying licensing standards.

However, the warning does not mean Australian authorities view digital assets negatively. In the report, ASIC said it “recognizes that digital financial innovation can contribute to economic growth,” while stressing that “if the regulatory framework fails to keep pace, it could lead to consumer harm and erosion of market trust.”