Pepperstone Launches Regulated Spot Crypto Exchange in Australia

Pepperstone has officially launched a dedicated, regulated spot cryptocurrency exchange in Australia as of February 2026, marking a significant expansion beyond its long-established role as a forex and CFD broker. The new exchange enables Australian traders to buy and sell digital assets directly with a flat 0.1% fee for both makers and takers, and supports trading pairs denominated in AUD.

The initial asset offering includes five cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), as well as the stablecoins USDC and USDT. The platform emphasizes three core pillars: deep liquidity, system stability, and robust security protocols. Rather than deploying white-label solutions, Pepperstone has built the infrastructure in-house, giving it full operational control over execution, order matching, and liquidity provisioning.

This launch represents a strategic shift in Pepperstone’s business model, evolving from offering derivative exposure to crypto via CFDs toward facilitating actual spot ownership of digital assets. This move aligns with broader industry trends as retail demand for direct crypto ownership continues to increase alongside institutional interest.

In launching the exchange, Pepperstone leverages its existing credentials as a well-regulated broker—holding licenses from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the UK’s FCA, DFSA in Dubai, CySEC in Cyprus, BaFin in Germany, CMA in Kenya, and SCB in the Bahamas. The new exchange also operates under AUSTRAC oversight in Australia, bolstering confidence in compliance and fund safety for users.

Moreover, by denominating trading pairs in AUD and embedding deposit and withdrawal support in local currency, Pepperstone streamlines the trading experience for Australian users. The flat-fee model and in-house execution infrastructure translate into transparent costs and professional-grade performance—setting Pepperstone apart from traditional crypto-only platforms.

Looking ahead, Pepperstone plans to expand its crypto offering, potentially adding more assets, services like staking or institutional-grade features, and deeper integration with its existing multi-asset trading ecosystem. For traders seeking a unified, regulated platform for forex, CFDs, and spot crypto, this launch signals a compelling option.