Coinbase Gets Aussie License, Plots 'Everything Exchange' Mission to Conquer Stocks and TradFi

Global crypto exchange Coinbase is looking to expand its offerings in Australia to futures, options, stock trading, payments and other TradFi products as part of an "everything exchange" vision after securing a financial services license in the country. Basically, they're saying "why just own the crypto pond when you can dry it out and build a mall on top?"

John O'Loghlen, regional managing director for APAC at Coinbase, said the Australian financial services license (AFSL) will see the exchange initially offer crypto and equity perpetuals but will open the door for futures, options and other traditional financial products. Think of it as Coinbase dipping a toe in the water, except the toe is already wearing size 14 boots and the water is the entire Australian financial system.

"We're going to compete with traditional financial services on stock trading, payments and other TradFi products with the speed and execution of crypto," O'Loghlen said. Translation: "We've mastered moving numbers around on screens at warp speed, now let's try it with boring stuff like people's retirement accounts."

The AFSL subjects Coinbase to the same standards of conduct, disclosure, governance and consumer protection that apply to traditional financial services providers, marking a significant milestone in Australia's push to establish a dedicated regulatory framework for digital assets. In other words, the wild west is getting a sheriff, and everyone's surprisingly okay with it.

The Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 passed both houses of the Australian Parliament on April 1. The bill is now waiting for royal assent, the final step before becoming law. It's set to take effect 12 months after assent. Yes, it passed on April Fool's Day, and no, this isn't a joke—though the irony wasn't lost on anyone.

"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. Finally, a regulator and an exchange agreeing on something without someone having to hire lawyers.

Crypto exchange Independent Reserve's Cryptocurrency Index estimates that 33% of Australians have exposure to cryptocurrency, up from 31% in 2025, among a population of more than 27.7 million. It also found that a growing number of people are using crypto to pay for goods and services compared with the year before. That's roughly 9 million Australians holding crypto, which means about 9 million Australians explaining to their relatives at Christmas why they "invested in digital beans."

Along with its AFSL license, Coinbase said it has been expanding its local team with senior hires across legal, compliance, marketing and operations, drawing from other regulated industries. Translation: they've been raiding the banking sector's LinkedIn DMs like it's a talent show.

In September, Coinbase and fellow exchange OKX introduced services for self-managed superannuation funds in Australia, giving individuals new ways to add crypto to the country's retirement savings system. Australia's total superannuation assets were estimated at around 4.5 trillion Australian dollars ($3.1 trillion) by the end of the third quarter of 2025. That's a $3.1 trillion pie, and everyone's suddenly very interested in getting a slice—or at least being allowed near the knife.