Rated excellent on Google
Crypto exchange & compliance lawyers
Build your crypto exchange on an unshakeable regulatory foundation: licensing, operating rules & compliance frameworks, end to end.
- End-to-end licensing pathways for digital asset platforms
- Full management of regulatory applications & engagement
- Bespoke drafting of exchange operating & listing rules
- AML/CTF-aligned onboarding & custody frameworks
FREE · NO OBLIGATION · QUICK REPLY
Book a free consultation
Confidential. We never share your details.
Trusted by industry leaders
300+ AFSL holders · excellent on Google
HOW WE DO IT
Build your crypto exchange on an unshakeable foundation
We design the licensing pathway, rulebooks & compliance frameworks so your trading architecture supports strict market integrity expectations.
BY THE NUMBERS
Crypto exchanges, by the numbers
SERVICE LINE
Crypto Exchanges
Licensing strategy, operating & listing rules, custody settings & AML/CTF programs for digital asset exchanges.
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
Exchanges
Wallets & Custodians
Tokens, DeFi & DAOs
OTC & Liquidity
Brokers
HOW IT WORKS
4-step licensing roadmap for crypto exchanges
We simplify the complex exchange licensing process, from initial structuring to final regulatory approval, on a solid legal foundation.
1
Structural assessment
We analyse your trading architecture, order flows & tokenomics to identify which regulatory regimes you engage & what authorisations they require.
2
Rule design & drafting
We draft your Exchange Operating Rules, Listing Rules & risk frameworks so your trading mechanics & governance are regulator-ready.
3
Application management
We prepare & lodge the necessary licence applications & variations, & manage all ASIC & Treasury interactions on your behalf.
4
Authorisation & launch
Once approvals are granted, we operationalise your AML/CTF & governance settings so you’re ready for compliant day-one trading.
WHAT WE DO
Regulatory & licensing services for crypto exchanges
We design and execute the licensing, rulebook and compliance frameworks your digital asset exchange needs, including Australian Market Licence and clearing & settlement facility applications.
Licensing Strategy & Authorisations
We assess your model, order flows & tokens to map the key regimes you’ll engage & the authorisations you’re likely to need.
Exchange Operating Rules
We draft regulator-ready rules covering trading mechanics, order matching, market conduct & suspensions.
Token Listing Rules & Due Diligence
We set clear token listing criteria, review processes & disclosures for new assets on your order book.
Custody, Wallets & Asset Safeguards
We design custody, wallet and asset-segregation settings that support strong client asset protection & resilience.
AUSTRAC Registration & AML/CTF
We manage your DCE registration & develop AML/CTF policies & monitoring tailored to your exchange’s risk profile.
Australian Market Licence (AML)
If your platform operates a financial market, you may need an Australian Market Licence. We assess whether an AML is triggered and prepare the application, market operating rules & supervisory arrangements.
Clearing & Settlement Facility Licence
Where your platform clears or settles trades, a CS facility licence may apply. We assess the need, structure the facility & prepare the licence application & operating rules.
Not sure where to start?
Peter Hagias, Founder
OUR FIRM
Who we are
In a regulated industry, the wrong partner can cost you your licence, your timeline and your sleep. AFSL House was built to be the opposite. Since 2020, founder and senior financial services lawyer Peter Hagias has led a team trusted by financial services businesses of every size. We take the stress and guesswork out of operating in a regulated environment.
We are more than a law firm. Alongside our 100% AFSL application success rate, we help you meet your ongoing regulatory obligations and commercial objectives with a number of complementary services. So whatever you need to launch your business and stay compliant, it is all under one roof.
CLIENT RESULTS
Real mandates, real outcomes
01/07
BTC Markets
Crypto Exchange
The first AFSL ever granted to a crypto exchange in Australia, backed by ongoing fixed-fee legal & compliance support.
THE OUTCOME
1st
AFSL for a crypto exchange in Australia
Retainer
Ongoing fixed-fee legal & compliance
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION • RM RECRUITMENT
THE SITUATION
Australia’s leading crypto exchange needed legal and compliance expertise to navigate an ever-evolving crypto regulatory landscape, and wanted an AFSL to establish a payments business.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
Specialist legal and compliance expertise to stay ahead of fast-moving crypto regulation, and an AFSL to underpin a new payments business.
HOW WE HELPED
We secured the first AFSL ever granted to a crypto exchange in Australia, including the authorisations to support a payments business, and continue to act as an extension of their team under a fixed-fee retainer, providing dependable legal and compliance support as the landscape evolves.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Damisa
Cross-Border Payments & Crypto Brokerage
AFSL secured to power cross-border payments using stablecoin rails, crypto buy & sell and multi-currency capabilities, giving customers same-day settlement and the ability to settle payments in cryptocurrency.
THE OUTCOME
AFSL
Granted by ASIC
Stablecoins
Cross-border payments, crypto & multi-currency
AFSL APPLICATION · LEGAL · COMPLIANCE & REGULATION
THE SITUATION
A cross-border payment provider moving money in and out of Australia on behalf of customers using stablecoin rails, and wanting customers to be able to buy, sell and hold crypto and multiple currencies on its platform.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
A full-scope AFSL authorising cross-border payment services using stablecoins, the ability for customers to buy and sell crypto, and multi-currency capabilities.
HOW WE HELPED
We guided Damisa through a rigorous ASIC application and secured its AFSL, authorising cross-border payment services, enabling customers to buy and sell crypto, and providing multi-currency capabilities. We also assisted with AML registration as a remitter, ongoing legal and compliance set-up, PDS, FSG, TMD and T&Cs preparation, and support securing local banking and liquidity providers.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Bless Payments
Payments & Remittance
A turn-key path to market, covering the full legal stack, an AFSL and AUSTRAC remittance registration.
THE OUTCOME
Turn-key
Legal, disclosure & licensing build
AFSL + AUSTRAC
Licence & remittance registration
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION • RM RECRUITMENT
THE SITUATION
A payments and FX business preparing to come to market and needing its entire regulatory and legal foundation built from the ground up.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
Support across every element of operating a payments and FX business, including an AFSL, AUSTRAC registration and the full suite of legal documents.
HOW WE HELPED
We delivered a turn-key solution across their payments and FX business, preparing the legal documents and securing the AFSL and AUSTRAC remittance registration, and we continue to provide ongoing services today.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Curated Capital
Wholesale Property Fund
Licensed to offer wholesale property syndicates, with ongoing legal and compliance support.
THE OUTCOME
AFSL
Granted for wholesale syndicates
Ongoing
Legal & compliance support
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION
THE SITUATION
A wholesale property fund preparing to offer property syndicates to its clients.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
An AFSL and the disclosure documents required to offer wholesale property syndicates, plus ongoing legal and compliance support, including assistance administering each wholesale property syndicate.
HOW WE HELPED
We obtained their AFSL and established the disclosure documents required to offer wholesale property syndicates, and we provide ongoing legal and compliance support, including assistance administering each wholesale property syndicate.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Hello Clever
Fintech & Payments
From an established business to a fully licensed, regulated product offering.
THE OUTCOME
Full-scope
AFSL secured
RMs placed
Responsible Managers sourced
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION
THE SITUATION
An existing business looking to expand its product set into regulated financial offerings for the first time.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
To move through the AML registration phase, uplift its AML/CTF documentation and processes, and obtain a full-scope AFSL with the right Responsible Managers.
HOW WE HELPED
We guided them through AML registration, updated their AML/CTF documentation and processes, sourced Responsible Managers and secured a full-scope AFSL, and now support them with their ongoing legal and compliance requirements on a fixed-fee retainer.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Toss
Global Super-App
Korea’s leading financial SuperApp, now licensed to provide remittance services in Australia.
THE OUTCOME
5 months
To a granted AFSL
End-to-end
Market entry & licensing
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION • RM RECRUITMENT
THE SITUATION
Korea’s leading financial SuperApp seeking to establish a licensed remittance business in Australia.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
To establish a licensed remittance business in Australia, including a local presence and the licences and registrations required to provide domestic P2P payment services.
HOW WE HELPED
We stood up their Australian operations, covering incorporation, resident director, Responsible Manager, AFSL application and AML remittance registration, and secured the licence in five months. We now provide ongoing legal and compliance support.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Immersve
Crypto Payments
Licensed, supported on an ongoing basis, and progressed toward Mastercard principal membership.
THE OUTCOME
AFSL
Granted & maintained
Mastercard
Principal membership work
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION • RM RECRUITMENT
THE SITUATION
A global crypto-to-card payments business looking to establish operations in Australia and access card-scheme infrastructure.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
An AFSL, ongoing legal and regulatory support, and assistance securing Mastercard principal membership.
HOW WE HELPED
We obtained their AFSL and assisted them in accessing card-scheme infrastructure, including their Mastercard principal membership, at the outset. We now provide ongoing legal support, helping them navigate and comply with their local legal and regulatory requirements.
Fixed fee · No obligation
Interstellar Capital
Wholesale Property Fund
AFSL secured and disclosure documents built for wholesale property syndicates.
THE OUTCOME
AFSL
Granted for wholesale syndicates
Ongoing
Legal & compliance support
AFSL APPLICATION • LEGAL • COMPLIANCE & REGULATION
THE SITUATION
A wholesale property fund bringing property syndicates to its investors.
WHAT THEY NEEDED
An AFSL and compliant disclosure documents for wholesale property syndicates, backed by ongoing legal and compliance support.
HOW WE HELPED
We obtained their AFSL and established the disclosure documents required to offer wholesale property syndicates, and we provide ongoing legal and compliance support.
Fixed fee · No obligation
TESTIMONIALS
Rated 5-star by our clients
Book your free, no-obligation consultation
Have a related, no-pressure chat with one of our senior AFSL lawyers. You’ll walk away knowing exactly where you stand and what to do next.
Peter Hagias & team
WHY AFSL HOUSE
Why choose AFSL House for your exchange?
We specialise in licensing Australian crypto exchanges & digital asset platforms, designing the pathway, rulebooks & frameworks behind market-integrity-ready trading.
Technical fluency
We translate complex matching-engine mechanics into regulator-ready Exchange Operating Rules.
Strategic speed
We anticipate & address custody & market-integrity concerns to minimise requisitions & keep assessments moving.
User-centric compliance
We design AML/CTF frameworks that maintain robust controls while keeping user onboarding as seamless as possible.
AFSL VIDEO SHORTS
AFSL, explained by our lawyers
Quick, plain-English answers to the questions we hear most, straight from the specialists who handle your licence.
Book your free, no-obligation consultation
Have a related, no-pressure chat with one of our senior AFSL lawyers. You’ll walk away knowing exactly where you stand and what to do next.
INSIGHTS LIBRARY
Crypto & digital asset insights
Stay ahead of evolving regulation with free guides, checklists & insights on crypto licensing, written by our specialist AFSL lawyers.
Free 90-seconds Assessment
Not sure where you stand with your AFSL?
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll build you a personalised AFSL action plan, based on the very things ASIC will expect from you. It takes about 90 seconds.
- Takes under 2 minutes
- Tailored to your business type
- No cost, no obligation
FREE DOWNLOADS
Free & practical AFSL guides & checklists
Practical guides, roadmaps and checklists that make getting ready simple, written by the lawyers who do this every day.
MORE IN THIS SECTOR
Explore crypto & digital asset licensing
Book your free, no-obligation consultation
Have a related, no-pressure chat with one of our senior AFSL lawyers. You’ll walk away knowing exactly where you stand and what to do next.
WHY WE DO
Market-leading, comprehensive AFSL services
A comprehensive range of services tailored to financial services companies seeking an Australian Financial Services Licence and ongoing compliance support.
AFSL Applications
A 100% success rate in AFSL applications, helping clients obtain their licence in record time.
ACL Applications
End-to-end Australian Credit Licence applications for lenders, brokers and credit providers, prepared and lodged for you.
Compliance & Regulation
Tailored risk and compliance frameworks to ensure you comply with your AFSL obligations.
Legal Support
Specialised AFSL lawyers providing holistic legal services to AFSL holders & applicants.
AFSL Audits & Investigations
Comprehensive governance audits to avoid enforcement action and assist in ASIC & AUSTRAC investigations.
AFSL for Hire
Be appointed as a Corporate Authorised Representative under our AFSL to start operating quickly.
Marketplace for AFSL
Connecting AFSL holders and applicants with qualified Responsible Managers, with expert sourcing and placement handled for you.
AFSL Responsible Manager Recruitment
Connecting AFSL holders and applicants with qualified Responsible Managers. Expert RM sourcing and placement.
White-Label Services
Enabling legal and consulting firms to offer AFSL expertise under their own brand.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an AFSL to operate a crypto exchange in Australia?
What are Exchange Operating Rules and why do they matter?
Exchange Operating Rules are the regulator-facing rulebook governing your trading mechanics, order matching, market conduct, suspensions and participant obligations. Well-drafted rules demonstrate market integrity to regulators and are often a condition of authorisation.
Do I need an Australian Market Licence or a clearing and settlement facility licence?
Possibly. If your platform operates a financial market, you may need an Australian Market Licence (AML) alongside or instead of an AFSL; and if you clear or settle trades, a clearing and settlement (CS) facility licence may apply. We assess whether these regimes are triggered and, where they are, prepare the applications, operating rules and supervisory arrangements. AFSL House advises on and obtains AML and CS facility licences for clients.
Do crypto exchanges need to register with AUSTRAC?
Yes. Digital currency exchange (DCE) providers must register with AUSTRAC and maintain an AML/CTF program, including customer due diligence and transaction monitoring. We manage your registration and build a program tailored to your risk profile.
How do you handle token listings?
We help you set clear token listing criteria, due diligence and review processes, and the disclosures required before a new asset goes on your order book, reducing the risk of listing assets that create regulatory exposure.
How long does crypto exchange licensing take?
It varies with the complexity of your model and the authorisations involved. Our 4-step roadmap (structural assessment, rule drafting, application management and authorisation) is designed to minimise requisitions and keep ASIC and Treasury engagement moving efficiently.
Can you help an existing exchange that is already operating?
Yes. We assist operating exchanges with rule reviews, custody and AML/CTF uplift, licence variations, and responding to regulator engagement, bringing your frameworks in line with current expectations.