KuCoin Australia Launches Mastercard-Backed Crypto Card After AUSTRAC Registration

In November 2025, KuCoin, a global cryptocurrency exchange, achieved registration as a Digital Currency Exchange (DCE) with AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence authority. The firm established its headquarters in Sydney and appointed James Pinch as the Managing Director for its Australian operations. Following this, in April 2026, KuCoin introduced KuCard, a virtual debit card supported by Mastercard, created in collaboration with Immersve, enabling Australian users to utilize digital assets such as USDC, Bitcoin, and Ether at any Mastercard-accepting location. The card is compatible with Apple Pay and Google Pay, converting cryptocurrency to fiat at the point of sale. KuCoin also collaborates with Echuca Trading, which possesses an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), to develop crypto futures offerings. The exchange holds SOC 2 Type II, ISO 27001, and ISO 27701 certifications. CEO BC Wong highlighted the importance of this registration for global compliance, while Immersve CEO Jerome Faury and Mastercard executive Christian Rau discussed the trend toward mainstream adoption. KuCard was initially launched in Europe in 2023 via Visa. The Australian initiative aims at the 22% of Australians who own digital assets, with over half funding their accounts through bank transfers and more than 40% using debit or credit cards.