What happened? Gemini launched a fully localized, AUSTRAC-registered exchange in Australia.
Gemini has established Gemini Intergalactic Australia and secured AUSTRAC registration to operate as a licensed digital currency exchange. The new local arm includes a team on the ground, AUD rails for faster deposits, and a country head to lead the effort. This expansion follows Gemini’s $425 million Nasdaq debut and is part of a broader push into the Asia‑Pacific market.
Who does this affect? Australian retail and institutional crypto users, local exchanges, and stablecoin issuers.
Retail customers in Australia will get a regulated, localized platform with quicker AUD deposits and a smoother trading experience. Institutional clients seeking compliant access to crypto markets can now work with a locally licensed exchange rather than relying on offshore services. Local competitors and stablecoin distributors will face increased competition but may also benefit from clearer regulatory pathways and the temporary ASIC relief for stablecoin intermediaries.
Why does this matter? It could boost trading volumes, competition, and crypto adoption in Australia and the wider region.
A regulated Gemini presence can draw more users and capital, increasing liquidity and trading activity on Australian rails. With national crypto adoption at 31%, Gemini’s IPO resources and ASIC’s stablecoin relief create favorable tailwinds that could accelerate market growth and institutional inflows. That increased activity may compress fees for users, squeeze margins for local exchanges, and help position Australia as a more prominent crypto hub in the Asia‑Pacific.