Market tone: Bullish
John Chen · Crypto Briefing · 2026-10-12T12:45:35.000Z
ASIC said the intervention order had cut aggregate net losses across retail CFD accounts by 91% within six months of its introduction.
Australia’s Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is consulting on a proposal to renew its contracts for difference (CFD) consumer protection order for another decade and broaden its coverage to include products with similar economic characteristics and risks, even when they are settled using digital assets rather than cash, according to an Oct. 12 press release.
If approved by the minister, the order would remain in place until 2037. The proposed amendments would also clarify margin requirements for CFDs over options, prevent opposing positions from being netted to lower initial margin requirements, and update rules for permitted discounts and educational or research tools.
ASIC Commissioner Alan Kirkland said the current intervention order had reduced retail client aggregate net losses by 91% in the first six months after taking effect. Nevertheless, the regulator’s latest data shows retail investors lost more than $458 million on CFDs over 12 months, including $73 million in fees.
ASIC is also inviting submissions on whether CFDs over options that can generate losses greater than the premium should continue to be offered to retail clients.
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Australian regulators are advancing their digital asset oversight agenda. The proposal follows the end of ASIC’s September 30 deadline for digital asset businesses to meet applicable licensing requirements or qualify for temporary no-action relief.
Since October 1, firms requiring authorization that fail to satisfy the relief conditions could face civil or criminal penalties, with fines potentially reaching 10% of annual turnover. The licensing measures are part of Australia’s transition to its Digital Assets Framework, passed by Parliament in April 2026 and due to commence in April 2027.
Originally published by Crypto Briefing.