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Crypto exchanges and stablecoin issuers in Australia could soon face stricter licensing rules under a proposed regulatory shake-up. On March 20, the Treasury released a new policy paper outlining plans to bring key parts of the digital asset industry under existing financial services laws. According to authorities, the regulations would help “identify opportunities, manage risks, unlock innovation, protect consumers and uphold market integrity.” Under the proposed framework, crypto platforms that hold digital assets for customers, such as exchanges, custodians, and certain brokerages, will need to operate under an Australian Financial Services Licence. Platforms that deal in tokenized stored-value facilities, such as some stablecoin issuers, will also be brought into the fold. These issuers will need to meet the same requirements as other stored-value providers, including clear rules for redeeming value and safeguarding customer assets. Authorities noted that this approach would “address the unique risks of [Digital Asset Platforms] and Tokenised SVFs,” with additional disclosure rules to be implemented for tokens that don’t have clear issuers. However, businesses that create digital assets for non-financial purposes, maintain infrastructure or build blockchain software won’t be regulated under the new laws. Small-scale and early-stage platforms could also get a pass from full licensing requirements, though they may still need to meet some tailored compliance rules according to the policy paper. Stablecoins used for payments will face oversight similar to that of traditional non-cash payment systems, as they’ll be treated as stored-value facilities under the broader payments reform. However, dealing in these tokens or trading them on secondary markets won’t automatically count as financial dealing. The platforms involved in such trades won’t be considered financial markets simply because they list stablecoins or wrapped tokens. A draft law is expected to drop sometime in 2025, with rollout dates to be confirmed once the legislation is finalized. The government also addressed the growing problem of de-banking, where crypto businesses are denied banking services. Officials said they’re working closely with Australia’s major banks to “understand the extent and nature of de-banking.” In recent years, de-banking has become a major headache for crypto firms in Australia, with big players like Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, and HSBC Australia cutting off or restricting services to such entities. “De-banking can have a devastating impact on de-banked businesses and individuals. It can also stifle competition and innovation in the financial services sector and negatively impact Australia’s economy,” authorities noted, adding that the proposed framework would strengthen risk management across the crypto sector and, in turn, improve trust with banks. Looking ahead, regulators will also explore how tokenisation could reshape asset markets, assess crypto tax reporting standards, monitor DeFi developments, and weigh the potential benefits of a central bank digital currency for Australia’s financial system.

Tether, the issuer of USDT, ranked as the seventh-largest buyer of U.S. Treasury securities in 2024. According to a Mar. 20 post on X by Tether chief executive officer Paolo Ardoino, Tether ( USDT ) purchased a net $33.1 billion in U.S. Treasuries last year. This put it ahead of countries like Germany, Canada, and Mexico. In a separate post, Ardoino also noted that Tether’s global presence has grown rapidly, with USDT adoption surpassing 400 million users, mostly in developing nations. As of Mar. 21, USDT leads the stablecoin market with 62.45% of the $230 billion total supply, according to DeFiLlama data . USDT’s market capitalization has hit $143 billion, almost three times the market cap of its rival, Circle’s USD Coin ( USDC ), which stands at $59 billion. Tether’s financial strength was demonstrated last year when it reported a record $13 billion net profit despite regulatory setbacks in Europe. The company issued 23 billion USDT in Q4 alone, contributing to a total issuance of 45 billion USDT in 2024. Tether may encounter difficulties in the U.S. despite its expanding acquisition of U.S. Treasuries. A proposed stablecoin bill could limit offshore issuers from accessing U.S. Treasury markets. U.S.-based competitors like USDC may gain from this bill at the expense of Tether. Nevertheless, Ardoino is still optimistic about Tether’s role in the U.S. Treasury market. During a Mar. 11 event hosted by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, Ardoino made the case that Tether’s investments strengthen and diversify the U.S. debt markets. “We’ve done more for financial inclusion than anyone else,” he said. “And while doing that, we’re buying back U.S. debt. If we were a country, we’d be the 18th largest holder of U.S. Treasuries.” Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent continue to push for stablecoin-friendly policies, stressing their role in maintaining the dollar’s global dominance. Trump, in a Mar. 20 virtual speech at Blockworks’ Digital Asset Summit, urged Congress to pass clear, common-sense regulations to encourage institutional adoption.

South Korea is reportedly targeting unregistered foreign exchanges like BitMEX and KuCoin for illegal operations, with access-blocking measures under consideration. South Korea ‘s financial authorities have begun taking action against several foreign crypto exchanges, including BitMEX and KuCoin , for offering services to Korean users without proper registration under the country’s Specific Financial Information Act. Korean authorities are considering sanctions against several foreign exchanges that have been providing services to South Korean investors without proper registration, according to a report by The Korea Economic Daily. A spokesperson for the Financial Intelligence Unit said the regulator is “reviewing access block measures for overseas exchanges that are still providing services to Korean investors through consultations with the Korea Communications Standards Commission.” According to the report, crypto exchanges BitMEX, KuCoin, CoinW, Bitunix, and KCEX are under scrutiny for running Korean-language websites and targeting South Korean users with marketing and customer support, all without registering as crypto businesses in the country. Under current rules, any company dealing with cryptocurrency trading, custody, or management in South Korea must register with the FIU, and failure to do so could lead to criminal penalties and sanctions. In 2022, the FIU requested the Korea Communications Standards Commission to block 16 unregistered foreign exchanges, including KuCoin, MEXC, and Poloniex, among others, which led to the withdrawal of many exchanges from the South Korean market. In February, the FIU revealed there are only 31 registered crypto trading firms in South Korea, down more than 26% from 42 in 2024. The delisted companies include GDAC, ProBit, Huobi Korea, and Bitrade, among others. In addition to business hurdles, many platforms failed to renew their registrations, thereby leading to their exclusion from the nation’s registry, the report notes.

Now that the US Strategic Crypto Reserve is a reality, many wonder what Trump’s administration has next in store for crypto. The crypto reserve already signals a strong commitment to integrating digital assets into national financial policy, but it’s unlikely the current US government will stop there. Given President Trump’s past statements about wanting the US to be the crypto capital of the world, some of the upcoming steps could include bridging traditional finance with decentralized technologies or just reasserting US leadership in crypto. There have been rumors ahead of Trump’s speech today at the Digital Asset Summit (DAS) in New York, namely that he’s about to sign another executive order regarding crypto – mainly, the one that would end crypto debanking. For those unfamiliar with the term, crypto debanking refers to the process by which traditional financial institutions decide to stop or limit their services to cryptocurrency businesses and users. This is primarily done due to concerns about regulatory compliance, anti-money laundering (AML) measures, and the perceived risks associated with digital asset transactions. If Trump actually signs the rumored executive order, this would improve access to traditional financial services for crypto businesses. Furthermore, other countries could follow, which would give a boost to the crypto industry overall. While this is just speculation right now, it’s not completely out of the blue, as President Trump did mention back in January that he was considering doing something along these lines. Crypto debanking seems to be the next most likely crypto policy for the current administration, but in the future, there might be even more. There are no official statements, but taking into consideration how things have been going since Trump’s inauguration, we might see some new crypto developments. This is pure conjecture, but for instance, akin to Strategic Crypto Reserve, there may be a dedicated fund that invests in emerging blockchain technologies and crypto startups or even integration of blockchain solutions into federal and state government operations. Whatever happens, it looks like the Trump administration is making a strong push for crypto, and depending on what will be said at today’s Digital Asset Summit, we could be seeing some brand new policies rolled out very soon. Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.

Altcoins with high Fully Diluted Valuations (FDV) are making some significant moves, and these shifts have some experts wondering if we’re seeing the early signs of a new bull run. XRP, in particular, has seen its FDV skyrocket to $251 billion, pushing it past Ethereum. Meanwhile, other altcoins like SUI and HYPE have also been gaining traction, even surpassing some of the more established players like XLM, HBAR, and AVAX. This has definitely got people talking about whether these high FDV altcoins could be the ones to kick off the next big wave of bullish momentum in the market. XRP’s impressive surge in FDV has put it ahead of Ethereum and also significantly outperformed BNB, Solana, and Cardano in terms of projected valuation. Related: High FDV, Low Circulating Supply Projects: Analyzing Market Potential and Risks This jump suggests that investors are increasingly looking at assets with the potential for high future valuations. BNB has also shown it can hold its own, increasing by 2.85% to reach $624.05. Interestingly, its FDV matches its current market cap at $88.91 billion, and trading volume saw a big jump of 27.57% to $2.42 billion. This kind of performance usually indicates strong investor interest. Similarly, Solana has climbed 1.80% to $130.47, with a FDV of $77.62 billion. What’s really notable with Solana is the massive 54.35% increase in trading volume, which points to growing excitement, likely fueled by its increasing use in decentralized applications. Related: Ethereum Scaling Solutions Take Center Stage: Top 5 Layer 2 Tokens by FDV Cardano, priced at $0.7315, has recorded a modest 0.25% increase. Its FDV stands at $32.91 billion, with a market cap of $25.77 billion. While Cardano’s growth might be steady rather than explosive, its potential is still considered strong thanks to its ongoing technological advancements. Meanwhile, Sui’s valuation has surged , reaching an FDV of $24.47 billion. Its price increase of 2.92% to $2.44 indicates growing investor confidence in the platform. Hyperliquid’s FDV has climbed to $14.72 billion, positioning it above Stellar, Hedera, and Avalanche. While its price did dip slightly by 1.78% to $14.73, its trading volume surged by 33.66%, indicating a lot of interest in this newer player. Stellar and Hedera have faced declines, with their prices dropping to $0.2843 and $0.1915, respectively. Their FDVs stand at $14.21 billion and $9.57 billion , suggesting they may need stronger catalysts to regain momentum. Avalanche has also experienced a decline, with its price falling 3.10% to $18.84. Despite this, its FDV of $13.5 billion still places it among top contenders. With investor sentiment potentially shifting, these altcoins with high FDVs are definitely gaining attention. If they keep attracting significant investment, they could very well be the ones to fuel the next big rally across the crypto market. Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. The article does not constitute financial advice or advice of any kind. Coin Edition is not responsible for any losses incurred as a result of the utilization of content, products, or services mentioned. Readers are advised to exercise caution before taking any action related to the company.