Yesterday, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers, announced an impending consultation paper on “token mapping”. Restrictions on using bitcoin and crypto assets will guided by this. Regulators claim that this will protect vulnerable investors.
“[A framework for industry and regulators] will allow consumers to participate in the market while also better protecting them.”
Jim Chalmers, Treasurer.
The ATO estimates that 1 million Australians have traded bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. The Treasurer emphasised that customers must be “adequately informed and protected”.
The token mapping exercise aims to:
- identify gaps in regulations;
- establish licensing;
- review the structure of organisations;
- study custody obligations; and
- dictate interactions with consumers.
A parliamentary committee identified a lack of standard definitions and classifications last year. ABIB was a participant in the consultation process. The conclusions mentioned bitcoin exclusively once: in the context of energy usage.
