Crypto exchange Gemini has launched a fully localized operation in Australia, marking its latest expansion move in the Asia-Pacific region amid growing regional demand for digital assets.
Key points to remember:
- Gemini established a fully localized operation in Australia after obtaining registration.
- Australia’s national crypto adoption rate has reached 31%, up from 28% last year.
- The move follows Gemini’s $425 million Nasdaq debut as the company accelerates its global growth.
The New York-based company announced on Thursday that its new entity, Gemini Intergalactic Australia, is now registered with the Australian Transaction Reporting and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) to operate as a licensed digital currency exchange.
“We believe there are enough market opportunities to build a local platform,” Saad Ahmed, head of Gemini’s APAC region, said at TOKEN2049 in Singapore, according to Reuters.
Crypto adoption in Australia climbs to 31%, up from 28% last year
The move comes as cryptocurrency adoption in Australia accelerates. According to the Australian Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index, the national adoption rate has climbed to 31% this year, up from 28% in 2024.
Gemini, founded by Tyler and Cameron Winklevoss, said the new platform would better serve retail and institutional clients, adding that it had already seen growing demand from Australian institutions seeking regulated access to crypto markets.
“Having a team on the ground, building a business that is localized and optimized for Australian users, makes sense for us,” Ahmed added.
The launch follows Gemini’s debut on Nasdaq last month, after raising $425 million in an IPO, marking one of the biggest listings of the year in the digital assets sector.
Until now, Australian users accessed Gemini’s services through its global arm.
Last month, the Gemini Space Station IPO raised $425 million, marking one of the most notable debuts in recent memory for a digital asset platform.
The New York-based company, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, priced 15.2 million shares at $28 each, above its earlier forecast of $24 to $26.
The final price reflected strong investor demand, even after Gemini increased its proposed range from $17 to $19.
The Winklevoss brothers, who founded Gemini in 2014 as a regulated US crypto exchange, owned almost the entire company before the sale.
Filings show they will retain about 94.5% of voting rights after the IPO, ensuring tight control even if the company becomes publicly traded.
Australia grants licensing relief to stablecoin distributors until 2028
Last month, ASIC, Australia’s securities regulator, introduced temporary relief for intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by licensed Australian financial services providers (AFS), allowing them to operate without an additional license until June 2028.
The measure removes the need for separate market, clearing or settlement licenses when processing stablecoins from approved issuers, with the aim of mitigating compliance barriers and supporting the adoption of stablecoins.
The first issuer to benefit is Catena Digital Pty Ltd, which launched stablecoin AUDM, although ASIC is considering extending the relief to other licensed issuers.
As reported, ASIC has removed over 14,000 scam and phishing websites since July 2023, with crypto-related fraud accounting for 20% of removals.
The agency is now targeting 130 new malicious sites every week, including deceptive social media ads and AI-based programs promising passive crypto income.
The article Gemini Expands into Australia with Launch of Local Crypto Exchange appeared first on Cryptonews.