More Than Half of Australia’s Business Leaders Now Hold Crypto Assets

Australian business leaders are embracing digital assets at a significantly higher rate than the wider population, according to new YouGov research released as the country rolls out its new crypto regulatory framework.

The survey found 54% of local CEOs and managing directors own crypto-assets, making them 3.4 times more likely than Australians overall to invest in digital assets. The research covered more than 340 executives alongside polling of over 10,000 Australian adults across the 12 months to June.

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Digital Asset Reforms Gather Pace 

Earlier this year, Australia enacted the Corporations Amendments (Digital Assets Framework) Act 2026. The legislation introduces an 18-month pathway towards full implementation, with crypto exchanges and digital custodians set to operate under Australian Financial Services regulation from 9 April 2027. It also creates new regulated categories for digital asset platforms and tokenised custody platforms.

Although the proportion of executives holding crypto has declined slightly since January, Swyftx acting co-CEO Andrea Yuen said ownership remains stronger than many people might expect given the sector’s relative maturity. She said business clients commonly include crypto-assets alongside traditional investments such as equities, fixed income and investment funds, often beginning with small Bitcoin allocations before building longer-term positions.

Swyftx said it has expanded its VIP team over the past two years to meet stronger demand from senior executives interested in alternative assets. Yuen added that many of these clients view Bitcoin through the lens of concerns about government debt and currency debasement rather than focusing on annual price swings.

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