- The RBA launches a six-month trial to test digital money in wholesale finance markets.
- Project Acacia explores 24 use cases for CBDCs, stablecoins, and tokenized deposit assets.
- ASIC offers regulatory relief to support safe innovation in Australia’s crypto finance sector.
Australia has taken a bold step to modernize its financial system. On Thursday, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) launched phase two of Project Acacia, a large-scale pilot to explore digital money in wholesale markets.
This next phase will test how stablecoins, deposit tokens, and a pilot wholesale central bank digital currency (CBDC) could work in real-world finance. The RBA is running the trial with support from the Digital Finance Cooperative Research Centre (DFCRC) and Australia’s financial regulator. The trial will last six months. It aims to find out whether digital assets can improve speed, safety, and efficiency in Australia’s financial system.
24 Use Cases and Real-World Trials
Project Acacia will test 24 use cases. Nineteen of them involve real money transactions, while five will be simulated. The tests will focus on several financial areas. These include fixed income markets, trade receivables, private assets, and carbon credits. Some experiments will also explore new ways of using accounts held at the RBA.
The RBA said the goal is to evaluate how tokenized assets can improve wholesale finance. The pilot will test whether blockchain-based systems can settle trades faster and more securely. A final report will be published in early 2026. It will include lessons from the trial and potential recommendations for Australia’s digital finance roadmap.
Major Banks Join Forces with Tech Leaders
Three of Australia’s largest banks, Commonwealth Bank (CBA), ANZ, and Westpac, are participating in the trial. Each bank is testing different use cases tied to its business strengths. CBA has partnered with JPMorgan to test how tokenized currencies could improve liquidity in the repurchase (repo) market. Repo transactions play a key role in managing short-term liquidity and implementing monetary policy.
Sophie Gilder, CBA’s Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets, said the repo market is an ideal place to begin testing digital collateral systems. The goal is to determine if digital currencies can reduce costs and mitigate risks in money markets.
Meanwhile, ANZ is leading two use cases. One focuses on converting trade invoices into tokenized assets, enabling small businesses to receive payment faster. The second explores using a wholesale CBDC to settle fixed-income securities in real time, eliminating delays and manual steps. Westpac is also part of the trial. Although its specific role has not been detailed, the bank has a history of blockchain pilots and remains actively involved in fintech innovation.
Related: Australia Limits Crypto ATM Cash to Protect Users From Scams
Regulatory Support for Innovation
Australia’s financial regulators are backing the trial. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has granted participants special permissions to test digital assets outside of normal financial rules. ASIC Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said the agency supports exploring blockchain technology in wholesale markets. She said the temporary legal relief allows firms to test new systems safely and determine how to mitigate risks.
This approach, also known as a regulatory sandbox, enables developers to innovate without violating laws. It also helps regulators understand how to shape future rules based on real-world trial data. The Australian government has also made efforts to regulate the broader cryptocurrency sector.
While this six-month trial is only a test, its results could shape policy decisions across banking, payments, and capital markets. If successful, it may lead to the broader adoption of digital tokens in the years ahead.
