Australia: FinTech

IP Australia has updated its Patent Manual following the High Court's decision in Aristocrat Technologies, providing clearer guidance on patentability of computer-implemented inventions. While the changes don't broadly expand patentability for software inventions, they establish a more structured framework for applicants to challenge narrow claim characterizations during examination, particularly in sectors like fintech, AI, and digital services.

Australia's High Court has delivered a landmark ruling in favour of ASIC against Block Earner, finding that crypto yield products fall within existing financial services laws. The decision endorses an expansive approach to financial product definitions and marks the first time the High Court has examined crypto-assets under financial services legislation. Meanwhile, ASIC has extended its no-action relief for digital asset businesses to 30 September 2026, and Australia's Travel Rule for virtual asset transfe

The High Court of Australia has delivered a landmark ruling in ASIC v Web3 Ventures Pty Ltd, finding that Block Earner's fixed-yield cryptocurrency product constitutes a financial product under the Corporations Act. This decision overturns the Full Federal Court's earlier judgment and marks the first time Australia's highest court has examined crypto-assets under financial services laws, with significant implications for how digital asset products are regulated.

Articles relating to the financial technology industry.

Articles relating to the financial technology industry.

Articles relating to the financial technology industry.

In the expanding digital economy, tokenisation is set to transform how we interact with assets by creating digital representations of real-world assets on distributed ledgers.

The Federal Court of Appeal has dismissed ASIC's appeal and upheld the primary judge's decision that Finder Wallet's (Finder) product "Finder Earn" was not a "debenture" and they did not have to hold an Australian Financial Services License (AFSL).

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