Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, has suspended the operations of Cryptolink’s Bitcoin ATMs for three months citing ongoing concerns about the company’s compliance with anti-money laundering rules.
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AAPLAUSTRAC details suspension and compliance failures
Brendan Thomas, CEO of AUSTRAC, confirmed that Cryptolink’s Virtual Asset Service Provider registration has been suspended for a period of three months, effective Sunday. As a result, Cryptolink’s network of crypto ATMs will remain offline during this period.
AUSTRAC, formally known as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, alleged that Cryptolink failed to comply with standard reporting requirements, including proper threshold transaction reports. The agency stated that Cryptolink also did not provide requested information within the required timeframe.
AUSTRAC continues to focus on the risks posed by digital currencies in money laundering, with persistent concerns regarding Cryptolink’s ability to oversee high-risk transactions through its crypto ATMs, according to Thomas.
The suspension follows an enforceable undertaking signed by Cryptolink in October 2025, after AUSTRAC’s Cryptocurrency Taskforce identified several alleged breaches. These included overdue submission of transaction reports and deficiencies in the company’s risk assessment processes.
AUSTRAC had previously imposed a penalty of $56,340 on Cryptolink for these compliance lapses, which the company paid in full.
Impact on crypto ATM operations in Australia
Cryptolink operates 96 Bitcoin ATMs across Australia, primarily located in major urban centers such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. These machines enable customers to exchange cash for Bitcoin.
Australia currently leads the Asia-Pacific region in the number of crypto ATMs. Over recent months, Australian law enforcement and regulators have intensified their efforts to address the use of crypto ATMs for criminal activity, prioritizing strict compliance with anti-money laundering obligations.
Authorities began increasing their oversight and enforcement measures regarding the criminal use of crypto ATMs since late 2024 in response to global and domestic financial crime risks.
AUSTRAC’s decision to suspend Cryptolink’s services is the latest in a series of regulatory actions targeting crypto-related businesses that fail to meet Australia’s stringent financial reporting standards.
As of publication, Cryptolink has not commented publicly regarding the suspension.
Mini dictionary: AUSTRAC, short for the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, is the government agency responsible for monitoring financial transactions to detect and prevent money laundering, terrorism financing, and other serious financial crimes in Australia.
| Company | Number of ATMs | Location Focus | Suspension Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptolink | 96 | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane | 3 months |
