Crypto exchange Gemini has secured regulatory approval and launched a fully localized operation in Australia, marking its latest strategic expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, a report by Reuters said. The New York-based company, founded by Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, announced on Thursday that its new entity, Gemini Intergalactic Australia, is now registered with the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) as a licensed digital currency exchange.
“We think there’s enough market opportunity for us to build a local platform,” said Saad Ahmed, Gemini’s Head of APAC, speaking at the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore, according to Reuters. “Having a team on the ground, building a business that’s localized and optimized for Australian users, makes sense for us.”
The expansion is timely, as Australia’s crypto adoption rate has jumped to 31% this year, up from 28% in 2024, according to the Australian Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index.
Gemini stated that the new, dedicated platform will be better positioned to serve both retail and institutional clients, noting a growing demand from local institutions seeking regulated access to crypto markets.
The Australian launch follows a major financial milestone for the company: its successful Nasdaq debut last month. Gemini raised $425 million in an initial public offering (IPO), marking one of the largest listings of the year in the digital asset sector. The IPO underscored the company’s commitment to accelerating its global growth strategy.
Gemini’s entry aligns with recent regulatory developments aimed at fostering a more stable environment for digital assets.
Last month, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) introduced temporary class relief for intermediaries distributing stablecoins issued by licensed Australian Financial Services (AFS) providers. This measure allows distributors to operate without needing additional market, clearing, or settlement licenses until June 2028, aiming to ease compliance barriers and support stablecoin adoption.
Simultaneously, ASIC remains active in enforcement. The agency has reported taking down over 14,000 scam and phishing websites since July 2023, with crypto-related fraud accounting for 20% of those removals.
