Ex-NAB bankers awarded Australia’s first stablecoin licence

Catena Digital, which was granted an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) in July 2025, has partnered with MHC Digital to launch Macropod (AUDM), Australia's first fully licensed AUD-backed stablecoin. The launch follows recent regulatory developments, including a new ASIC instrument that allows intermediaries to provide services for AFSL-issued stablecoins without holding their own licence, a move described as "first-of-its-kind relief”. Read this AFR article to learn more