Australia's financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, announced plans to incorporate approximately 80,000 companies, including those in the cryptocurrency sector, into its anti-money laundering regulatory framework by 2026. This move represents the most significant expansion of Australia's anti-money laundering legislation in decades. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas emphasized a strategic shift from compliance inspections to focusing on preventing and controlling substantial risks, particularly highlighting the role of virtual asset service providers in facilitating instant global fund transfers.