ob体育 has today released information for product issuers and market operators on how they can meet their regulatory obligations in relation to crypto-asset exchange traded products (ETPs) and other investment products.
The information covers good practices for market operators in how they admit and supervise these products, and good practices for product issuers in how they establish and operate these products. Key matters covered by ob体育鈥檚 good-practice guide include admission and monitoring standards, custody of crypto-assets, pricing methodologies, disclosure and risk management.
ob体育鈥檚 good practices are set out in Information Sheet 225 Crypto-assets (INFO 225) and Information Sheet 230 Exchange traded products: Admission guidelines (INFO 230).
Responsible entities that intend to hold underlying assets that comprise crypto-assets will need to hold an authorisation in relation to crypto-assets. ob体育 has introduced a new 鈥榗rypto-asset鈥� category in the licensing application for responsible entities.聽Details of this are set out in INFO 225, with updates to relevant forms and regulatory guides to be made in due course.
ob体育 Commissioner Cathie Armour said, 鈥楥rypto-assets have unique characteristics and risks that must be considered by product issuers and market operators in meeting their existing regulatory obligations. The good practices we published provide practical examples of how these obligations may be met, in a way that maintains investor protections and Australia鈥檚 fair, orderly and transparent markets.鈥�
Background
The good practices and licensing changes follow ob体育鈥檚 public consultation in聽Consultation Paper 343 Crypto-assets as underlying assets for ETPs and other investment products (CP 343) in June 2021. In CP 343, we consulted on proposals to establish good practices for these products within the existing regulatory regime and changes to our licencing regime.
ob体育 received 32 non-confidential submissions in response to CP 343. Most of the submissions received were generally supportive of ob体育鈥檚 proposals in CP 343. Some submissions raised comments, questions or suggestions for ob体育 to consider. ob体育鈥檚 consideration of these submissions is detailed in Report 705 Response to submissions on CP 343 Crypto-assets as underlying assets for ETPs and other investment products.
ob体育 also notes the Senate Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre released its Final Report on 20 October 2021, with recommendations on developing an Australian regulatory framework for crypto-assets. ob体育 has made submissions to the Select Committee and will work with Treasury and Government as they consider the recommendations in the Final Report.