The new proposed legislation, known as the Digital Assets (Market Regulation) Bill 2022, proposes the establishment of licenses for digital asset exchanges, digital asset custody services, stablecoin issuers, and transparency requirements for operators of the e-Yuan in Australia.
Senator Bragg reportedly stated that Australia has quite a risk exposure as an economy, and that's one of the main reasons for Australia having a significant program for managing disruption and controlling risks that emerge from the creation of a CBDC.
The purpose of this specific action is to provide an efficient regulatory framework, mandate the disclosure of information by certain banks that support the use or accessibility of digital Yuan in Australia, and impose new obligations on governing bodies about this action and the regulation of activities involving digital assets and digital Yuan.
Senator Bragg said Australia wouldn't benefit from developing a CBDC because privacy problems could not be managed. But the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia previously stated that there has to be regulation on stablecoins and that the Australian government must put something on the table to handle other CBDCs that are being launched.
The proposed bill is currently out for public comment until October 31, 2022, and is looking for community feedback.
Andrew Bragg has been a vocal supporter of cryptocurrency since his election as a senator in 2019. To stop local firms from migrating abroad, Senator has been advocating for a clear legal framework for digital assets and cryptocurrency businesses since 2021.