ASIC Proposes Extending CFD Investor Protections to Crypto Asset-Settled Derivatives

Odaily News: The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) plans to expand its Contracts for Difference (CFD) rules to bring derivatives settled by digital asset transfers, and meeting other conditions, under regulatory oversight. The relevant products will be subject to leverage caps, mandatory close-out provisions, and negative balance protection, with the exception of certain crypto futures and options that have a fixed expiry date. ASIC is seeking feedback from industry participants and stakeholders on the proposed amendments, with a deadline of November 9.

Australia's existing CFD regulatory framework was introduced in 2021, requiring service providers to close out positions when account funds fall below a specified level, with negative balance protection limiting client losses to the funds in their CFD accounts. In April, Australia passed legislation bringing crypto exchanges and tokenized custody platforms into its financial services licensing framework, with the new regime set to take effect on April 9, 2027. (Cointelegraph)