KuCoin, a global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced the establishment of its Australian headquarters in Sydney’s central business district and the appointment of James Pinch as Managing Director. The new office will serve as KuCoin’s regional hub, which is an important milestone in the company’s effort to strengthen its presence in one of the world’s most active digital asset markets.
According to KuCoin, the Sydney hub will create new skilled roles across compliance, operations, cybersecurity, and product development over the next 12 months. The move aims to support local engagement while aligning with regulatory and institutional requirements.
It’s not just a slogan, it’s a standard.
— KuCoin (@kucoincom) November 18, 2025
Tap in, scan up, and discover what’s next.
Your moment starts here, Australia. pic.twitter.com/NxvQQSda9U
Experienced leadership to drive Australian growth
James Pinch brings extensive experience to KuCoin’s Australian operations. With a background in traditional finance, mergers and acquisitions, and fintech innovation, he has previously held senior roles at OKX, CMC Markets, Vantage, and Invast Global. His track record in building fintech startups and scaling digital platforms positions him to lead KuCoin through a period of regional expansion.
Explaining KuCoin’s motivation for the Australian investment, Pinch said:
“KuCoin is doubling down on Australia, investing in local jobs and capabilities—great news for the crypto industry. Australian investors are serious about digital assets, with the market projected to grow nearly 20% to US$1.2bn by 2026. They demand transparency, stability, and innovation, which KuCoin delivers through robust engagement and top-tier security.”
Focus on compliance and local integration
Australia’s digital asset industry is undergoing a period of transformation, with regulators preparing to introduce stricter licensing and compliance frameworks. To operate fully in the market, KuCoin must obtain an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL), a requirement for any exchange offering fiat-to-crypto trading in Australian dollars.
Failure for platforms to comply with future regulations under the Corporations Act could result in fines of up to 10% of annual turnover or more than A$16.5 million, whichever is greater. KuCoin’s local expansion, anchored by experienced leadership and compliance infrastructure, indicates its long-term intention to meet these standards and operate within upcoming regulatory boundaries.
BC Wong, CEO of KuCoin, said:
“The appointment of James Pinch signals our seriousness about Australia. The Australian market is maturing. Users and regulators alike are demanding higher standards of security and compliance. Our team’s mandate is to deliver world-class protection, deeper liquidity, and a transparent relationship with regulators.”
Engaging with the local crypto community
As part of its integration into the Australian market, KuCoin will sponsor the Australian Crypto Convention in 2025. The sponsorship will allow the exchange to interact with industry participants, investors, and policymakers as it builds community ties.
The event also features KuCoin’s partnership with Australian golfer Adam Scott under the theme “Integrity First. Trading on KuCoin Next.” The collaboration emphasizes the exchange’s focus on reliability and transparency.
“I've been following the crypto space for several years and have been impressed by KuCoin's commitment to security and transparency,” Scott said. “As someone who values precision, discipline and long-term thinking, I see these same qualities in how KuCoin approaches the market. I'm proud to partner with a platform that's raising the bar for the entire industry, and I'm looking forward to engaging with the Australian crypto community through this partnership.”
Part of KuCoin’s broader global expansion
KuCoin’s move into Australia comes as the exchange continues expanding its global reach. Earlier this year, the company secured regulatory approval to operate in Thailand and was selected as the lead exchange for the government’s G‑Token tokenized bond program.
Globally, KuCoin has also rolled out new services such as KuCoin Pay, a tool for crypto-based purchases like mobile top-ups and gift cards, and KuMining, a cloud platform that allows users to mine Bitcoin, Dogecoin, and Litecoin without specialized hardware.
Founded in 2017, KuCoin serves over 40 million users across more than 200 countries. The platform offers trading access to over 1,000 digital assets and holds multiple security and compliance certifications, including SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022.
KuCoin is now based in Sydney and is hiring people in Australia. This will help the company be more involved in Australia's regulated crypto ecosystem and help the industry grow and comply with the law.
Jordan V.
Disclaimer: All materials on this site are for informational purposes only. None of the material should be interpreted as investment advice. Please note that despite the nature of much of the material created and hosted on this website, HODL FM is not a financial reference resource, and the opinions of authors and other contributors are their own and should not be taken as financial advice. If you require advice. HODL FM strongly recommends contacting a qualified industry professional.
