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Gemini has expanded its Australian operations with AUSTRAC registration and the appointment of James Logan as Head of Australia, positioning the crypto exchange to capture growing demand in one of the Asia-Pacific region's most dynamic digital asset markets.
Gemini Intergalactic Australia Pty Ltd, the company's local entity, is now officially registered with AUSTRAC as a digital currency provider, enabling it to offer digital currency exchange services in Australia, the exchange announced on Thursday. The expansion includes local banking integrations designed to accelerate AUD deposits and crypto trading for Australian customers.
"With Australia's rapidly growing digital asset market, Gemini is doubling down on our Asia-Pacific growth strategy," said Saad Ahmed, head of APAC at Gemini. "Appointing James as our Head of Australia underscores our commitment to building a safe, transparent, and compliant ecosystem for both retail and institutional customers."
Australia has emerged as a significant crypto jurisdiction, with Gemini's Global State of Crypto Report 2025 showing a 22% adoption rate matching the United States. The figure highlights Australia's strong market potential as regulatory frameworks evolve and institutional interest accelerates.
Logan brings extensive experience from senior roles at crypto exchanges Luno and Bitget, where he focused on expanding digital asset access and strengthening consumer trust. He will lead Gemini's Australian strategy, partnerships, and customer growth during a period of accelerating retail and institutional adoption. His mandate includes building partnerships and driving customer growth, suggesting aggressive expansion plans beyond basic exchange operations.
"Gemini's expansion in Australia comes at an exciting time for the industry," Logan said. "Australians are increasingly turning to trusted platforms to manage their digital assets, and I'm thrilled to lead Gemini's efforts here and to build a strong presence that will support long-term adoption and innovation."
The Australian push follows several major Gemini milestones globally, including securing a MiCA (Markets in Crypto Assets) license for European operations, introducing tokenized stock trading in Europe, launching the Bitcoin Credit Card in the United States, and listing on NASDAQ. Gemini said it serves customers in more than 60 countries and has facilitated over $200 billion in trading volume.
The AUSTRAC registration positions Gemini to compete with established crypto exchanges operating in Australia, including Coinbase, Kraken, and local platforms like Swyftx and CoinSpot. The Australian market has attracted significant exchange competition as operators seek to establish presence ahead of anticipated comprehensive crypto regulations.
Australia's regulatory environment currently requires crypto exchanges to register with AUSTRAC and comply with anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations. The federal government announced plans in September to require crypto exchanges to hold Australian financial services licenses, sparking expectations of industry consolidation as compliance costs increase.
Gemini's expansion timing coincides with this regulatory transition period, allowing the company to establish operations under current requirements while preparing for stricter licensing standards. The new AFSL framework will impose the same duties on crypto exchanges as other financial companies, potentially creating competitive advantages for well-capitalized international operators.
Local banking integrations represent a key differentiator in the Australian market, where customers have faced challenges with banks restricting or blocking crypto-related transactions. Gemini's ability to facilitate seamless AUD deposits and withdrawals could provide operational advantages over competitors lacking established banking relationships.
The appointment of a dedicated country head signals Gemini's long-term commitment to the Australian market rather than treating it as part of a broader regional strategy. Logan's mandate includes building partnerships and driving customer growth, suggesting aggressive expansion plans beyond basic exchange operations.
Australia's 22% crypto adoption rate, matching the U.S. despite a much smaller population, demonstrates high per-capita engagement with digital assets. The market's maturity and regulatory clarity make it attractive for exchanges seeking stable, developed-market exposure in the Asia-Pacific region.
