Australia moves to bring crypto settled CFDs under retail trading rules

Australia's securities regulator has proposed bringing certain crypto settled derivatives under existing retail trading safeguards after reporting more than $458 million in losses among contracts for difference traders. Australia's securities regulator has proposed bringing certain crypto settled derivatives under existing CFD rules, including leverage limits and retail investor safeguards. ASIC is seeking a 10 year renewal of its CFD protections after 68% of retail traders recorded net losses totaling more than $458 million in 2023–24. The proposed changes would clarify margin requirements, restrict netting of opposing positions and cover qualifying contracts settled through digital asset transfers.