Australia could unlock A$24 billion in digital finance gains, OKX report finds

CoinDesk

by Sam Reynolds

March 2, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Australia’s digital finance sector could generate A$24 billion annually if policymakers implement reforms to modernize licensing, regulatory sandboxes, and market rules, according to a report backed by OKX. The study highlights that tokenization, payments, and cross-border financial services could drive significant economic gains, potentially adding 1% of GDP. However, without meaningful reforms, Australia is projected to capture only A$1 billion of this potential by 2030. The report, conducted by the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre, emphasizes the importance of productivity growth in Australia, which has stagnated over the past decade. OKX Australia CEO Kate Cooper noted that digital finance innovation could be a key driver of economic recovery, particularly given the country’s large pension capital pool and growing demand for efficient financial services. OKX’s strategic focus on Australia reflects its belief in the region’s potential as a competitive market for digital finance. Unlike other exchanges targeting the U.S. or Europe, OKX sees value in navigating Australia’s strict regulatory environment to establish a defensible position. By investing in local compliance and infrastructure, the exchange aims to tap into institutional flows, particularly in areas like tokenized bonds and stablecoins

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 3/2/2026