Digital assets are now part of mainstream portfolio conversations.
Yet for many finance advice professionals, digital assets remain a compliance risk they’re unsure how to manage. The question is no longer if you should address crypto. It’s how to do it without stepping outside your license conditions or compromising your professional obligations.
At Alpha Node Global, we believe that starts with clarity.
The Compliance Landscape Is Evolving
Over the past 18 months, Australian regulators have stepped forward with clearer expectations. That doesn’t mean crypto is fully defined, but the pathways for advisers and investment professionals are more structured than ever.
If you’re advising clients or constructing portfolios, here’s what matters:
- AFSL obligations apply when digital assets are accessed via managed investment schemes or other structured vehicles
- AML/CTF requirements still stand, regardless of asset type
- Disclosure, due diligence, and suitability frameworks remain essential
- Unlicensed or offshore exposure introduces direct risk to your practice
In short, crypto is not outside the regulatory perimeter. It’s inside it. And professionals need to treat it accordingly.
Common Compliance Gaps in Crypto Conversations
Many advisers are already having crypto conversations with clients, but few are doing so with proper structure.
Here are three common issues we see across the market:
- Informal conversations without documentation
Clients ask about Bitcoin or digital assets. Many advisers answer informally, but this still creates an advice trail without documentation or compliance oversight. - Unvetted exposure through offshore or unregulated platforms
Referring clients to products or exchanges not covered under AFSL can lead to unintended liability, even if no formal advice is given. - Avoiding the topic altogether
Some professionals are staying silent to avoid risk. But in doing so, they may be missing an opportunity to lead the conversation and retain client trust.
How Institutions Are Allocating Differently
The world’s largest investors aren’t ignoring crypto. They’re engaging with it carefully, through structured frameworks.
Most are doing this via:
- Regulated, AFSL compliant managed investment schemes
- Institutional custody, insured accounts, and detailed compliance procedures
- Portfolio integration models that treat digital assets as alternatives, not speculation
The key difference is that institutions are not reacting emotionally or tactically. They are approaching this like they would any emerging asset class, within the rules.
That same approach is now accessible to finance advice professionals with the right tools and partners.
What This Means for Your Practice
Whether or not you personally believe in the future of Bitcoin or digital assets is not the point. What matters is whether your clients do, and whether you’re positioned to have a clear, compliant response when they ask.
Advisers who treat crypto as an avoidable risk are already behind. The professionals who succeed in this next cycle will be the ones who understand:
- How digital assets behave under different macro conditions
- Where they can add diversification without unnecessary exposure
- How to operate inside the rules with confidence
In 2025, understanding crypto compliance isn’t optional. It’s part of staying relevant in a market that’s already moving.
Stay ahead of market shifts with in-depth analysis from our team explore the latest thinking on our Insights page.
Upcoming Webinar Reserve Your Spot
How Digital Assets Are Essential to a Diversified Portfolio
Join Alpha Node Global for an exclusive live webinar where we break down how financial professionals can confidently integrate digital assets into client portfolios—without compromising compliance.
🗓️ Date: May 15, 2025
🔗 Register Now: https://lu.ma/vw8o2f13
Don’t miss your chance to stay ahead of the curve. This is essential knowledge for any adviser serious about staying relevant in 2025 and beyond.
