Australia has appointed Andrew Charlton as the new Assistant Minister for Science, Technology, and the Digital Economy, as part of a strategic effort to reform its digital asset landscape. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese introduced Charlton's role, highlighting his economic expertise and international experience. Charlton is expected to collaborate closely with the Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy, Tim Ayres, focusing on issues related to evolving technologies and the impact on the workforce. The appointment comes at a pivotal time as Australia prepares to unveil significant regulatory reforms for the cryptocurrency sector, intending to enhance industry certainty and protect consumers. Under the proposed framework, major crypto platforms will be mandated to obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence, while smaller firms may be exempted. Charlton has previously addressed cyber security and resilience in a role as Special Envoy, indicating a proactive approach by the government towards establishing a regulatory alignment with international standards.

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