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Australia has emerged as one of the most dynamic cryptocurrency markets globally, with approximately one-third of the population holding digital assets. Bitcoin (BTC) dominates this space, held by 70% of Australian crypto investors. As the country leans into the possibilities of blockchain technology, lawmakers continue exploring how to integrate crypto further into the mainstream economy.

In this comprehensive guide by Ledger Academy, we’ll explore how to buy, sell, and safely store cryptocurrencies in Australia, including mining, legal status, taxation, and NFTs.

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How to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto in Australia

Buying crypto in Australia is straightforward once you understand the process. The most common way to purchase Bitcoin is through a centralized exchange using Australian dollars (AUD).

Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Crypto

1. Choose a Crypto Exchange
   Some popular exchanges in Australia include CoinSpot, Swyftx, and CoinJar.
2. Register and Complete KYC
   Provide personal details such as name, address, and a government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license). A bank statement or utility bill is also needed as proof of address.
3. Deposit AUD
   You can fund your exchange account via bank transfer, credit/debit card, PayPal, or BPAY.
4. Buy Your Crypto
   Once funded, select your preferred cryptocurrency—Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are top choices.

Additionally, crypto ATMs are available in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.

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Secure Storage for Your Cryptocurrency

Why Self-Custody is Important

Leaving crypto on centralized exchanges or software wallets can expose you to hacks. A notable example is the November 2023 CoinSpot hack due to a compromised software wallet.

Best Solution: Hardware Wallets

To ensure your assets are secure, use a hardware wallet like Ledger Stax or Ledger Flex, which stores your private keys offline, away from cyber threats.

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Buy Crypto with Self-Custody Using Ledger Live

Ledger provides a direct way for Australians to buy and manage crypto securely.

Steps to Use Ledger Live

1. Set Up Your Ledger Wallet
   • Download the Ledger Live app.
   • Connect your Ledger device and initialize it.
   • Set a PIN and record your 24-word recovery phrase.
2. Install Apps and Create Accounts
   • Add accounts for each coin (BTC, ETH, SOL, etc.).
3. Buy via Trusted Partners
   • Go to the Buy/Sell section in Ledger Live.
   • Choose your coin, amount, and payment method (bank transfer or card).
   • Partners include PayPal, MoonPay, and Coinify.

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Top Crypto Exchanges in Australia (2025)

Platform	Coins Available	KYC	Trading Fee	Pros	Cons
Ledger Live	15,000+	Depends on provider	Network fees only	Full self-custody, secure	External partners may require KYC
CoinSpot	450+	Yes	1%	Large selection	Higher trading fees
Swyftx	350+	Yes	0.6%	Beginner-friendly interface	Limited advanced features
Binance AU	350+	Yes	0.1%	Lowest fees	No AUD deposits/withdrawals
CoinJar	~60	Yes	1%	User-friendly	Fewer coin options

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Is Cryptocurrency Legal in Australia?

Yes, cryptocurrency is fully legal. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and AUSTRAC regulate the market, enforcing KYC and AML policies.

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Crypto Mining in Australia

Is Mining Legal?

Yes, mining is legal and regulated.

How to Mine Bitcoin in Australia

1. Choose Mining Hardware
   • ASICs like Bitmain’s Antminer or MicroBT’s Whatsminer are the most efficient.
   • Costs range from A$7,000–A$12,000.
2. Install Mining Software
   • Only download from official sites to avoid malware.
3. Join a Mining Pool
   • Pools like AntPool, ViaBTC, and BTC.com offer steady returns.
4. Assign a Bitcoin Wallet
   • Use your self-custodial wallet to receive mining rewards.

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Crypto Taxes in Australia

Is Crypto Taxed?

Yes. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) treats crypto as property. Profits are taxed under Capital Gains Tax (CGT) rules.

Tax Brackets for 2025

Income Range	Tax Rate
Under A$18,200	0%
A$18,201 – A$45,000	19%
A$45,001 – A$120,000	32.5%
A$120,001 – A$180,000	37%
Over A$180,001	45%

If you hold a crypto asset for over a year, your capital gain is discounted by 50%.

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How to Buy NFTs in Australia

NFTs are not clearly defined by law but are taxed under CGT.

Step-by-Step NFT Purchase

1. Set Up a Crypto Wallet
   • Use a Ledger wallet for maximum security.
2. Buy Cryptocurrency
   • Use Ledger Live to acquire ETH or other required coins.
3. Select a Marketplace
   • Examples: OpenSea, Rarible, Blur, SuperRare.
4. Browse and Choose NFTs
   • Explore collections or individual artworks.
5. Purchase or Make an Offer
   • Use crypto or credit card; offers may be placed on existing listings.

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With roughly a third of Australians already investing in crypto, the market is thriving. While exchanges and software wallets offer convenience, they can be vulnerable. For true peace of mind, the best solution is to store your assets using Ledger hardware wallets.

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FAQ – Crypto in Australia

Is Bitcoin legal in Australia?
Yes, completely legal.

Do you pay taxes on crypto?
Yes, under capital gains rules. See tax section above.

Can I mine Bitcoin in Australia?
Yes, it’s legal and feasible with the right setup.

Which crypto is best to invest in?
Popular options include Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL).

For years, major tech companies have profited from the digital data users generate—without ever sharing the value back with those who produced it. But that era is beginning to change. OORT DataHub introduces a revolutionary platform where users can help train artificial intelligence (AI) models by completing simple microtasks—without ever giving up personal data.

Instead of monetizing user data, OORT invites people to co-create AI and earn real cryptocurrency rewards for their contributions. With a solid infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and an intuitive mobile app, it’s quickly emerging as one of the most promising Web3 platforms today.

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Earn Crypto by Powering AI—Anonymously

OORT DataHub allows users to complete microtasks like taking photos of everyday objects or recording sounds. These small but crucial data contributions are used to train cutting-edge AI algorithms.

Recently, OORT DataHub made its debut on Binance Wallet as a decentralized application (dApp), further expanding access to crypto rewards for contributors. Users can now receive instant payments in $OORT tokens or stablecoins like USDT for every approved task.

The platform already boasts hundreds of thousands of registered users, with tens of thousands active weekly. As a result, many crypto analysts are calling it the next hidden gem within the Binance ecosystem.

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How to Use OORT DataHub

Getting started with DataHub is quick and accessible for anyone:

1. Download the OORT app from the Play Store or App Store.
2. Create an account and set up a digital wallet.
3. Browse available tasks, each clearly labeled with engagement points (EP) and $OORT rewards.
4. Complete the tasks, such as uploading photos or sounds, and receive rewards after approval.

The platform features auto-translated instructions in Spanish, making it easy for Spanish-speaking users to participate. Additional rewards are given for daily logins and user referrals, helping users climb the monthly regional leaderboards and unlock bonus prizes.

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Decentralized AI With Real-World Impact

What sets OORT apart is its foundational philosophy: your data isn’t exploited—it’s rewarded. Each microtask helps improve AI models, and contributors are paid instantly.

The native $OORT token is already listed on major exchanges such as KuCoin, Bitget, Gate, MEXC, and PancakeSwap, giving users flexibility and liquidity.

By using DataHub, users directly contribute to AI accuracy by providing high-quality, human-labeled data—the essential ingredient in any successful machine learning model.

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Strategic Integration With Binance Wallet

OORT DataHub’s integration with Binance Wallet has drastically increased its visibility. As the first decentralized AI dApp on the platform, it now has access to over 486 million Binance users.

This milestone helped the platform skyrocket to over 300,000 registered users, with 80,000 weekly actives, further validating its appeal and potential. Many community members consider this a rare “early launch gem” on Binance, with long-term earning potential for early adopters.

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OORT’s Robust Infrastructure and Trusted Backing

Founded in May 2021 in New York, OORT has developed a globally distributed DePIN (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) consisting of 83,000+ nodes across more than 100 countries.

The backbone of this system is Olympus, OORT’s Layer-1 protocol, which features patented innovations and has received support from industry giants. OORT has raised $10 million in funding from investors like Taisu Ventures (linked to Cardano), along with grants from Microsoft and Google.

With major enterprise clients—including Dell, Lenovo, and Binance Smart Chain—already using its services, OORT DataHub is anything but a startup experiment. Its leadership hails from top institutions like Columbia University, JP Morgan, AT&T, and Qualcomm, providing solid technical and business credibility.

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Looking Ahead: Multichain and AI Launchpad Expansion

The Binance launch is just the beginning. OORT’s roadmap outlines ambitious plans, including multichain integration and the development of a launchpad for other AI projects. This will allow third-party developers to create tasks and offer their own crypto incentives within the OORT ecosystem.

In essence, DataHub is evolving into a global AI marketplace—a platform where user data is no longer an invisible byproduct, but a directly monetizable asset. It’s a bold step forward in redefining data ownership in the age of AI and Web3.

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Join the AI Revolution Today

Whether you’re a crypto enthusiast, a tech-savvy user, or someone simply curious about earning rewards for small contributions, OORT DataHub offers an exciting new path. It blends decentralization, AI innovation, and financial inclusion—without compromising your privacy.

The 10 wallets with the most bitcoins in the world hold around 5.5% of the total circulating BTC supply, according to data from Bitinfocharts. This small group of addresses represents a significant portion of the crypto ecosystem, raising key questions about the distribution of power, transparency, and financial privacy in the digital economy.

Far from being owned by anonymous crypto millionaires, these wallets are mostly linked to centralized platforms, corporate reserves, and even governments, highlighting the complexity of Bitcoin ownership today.

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Top 10 Bitcoin Wallets: Centralization and Anonymity

According to Bitinfocharts, the top three wallets by bitcoin holdings are:

1. Binance (34xp4 cold wallet) – 248,598 BTC
2. Robinhood – 140,575 BTC
3. Bitfinex – 130,010 BTC

Each of these wallets contains over $15 billion USD worth of BTC at current market prices.

The rest of the top 10 includes:

• Other Binance cold wallets
• A wallet linked to Mt. Gox, the defunct exchange that still holds about 97,000 BTC
• Tether’s corporate reserves
• Two addresses seized by the U.S. government
• One unidentified wallet, reinforcing Bitcoin’s pseudonymous nature

Many of these are custodial wallets, meaning they pool assets from thousands of users, making it difficult to attribute ownership to a single entity.

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The Major Absentees: MicroStrategy, Tesla, BlackRock, and Governments

Surprisingly, major institutional holders like MicroStrategy, Tesla, BlackRock, and Fidelity do not appear on Bitinfocharts’ top wallet list. This is primarily because their assets are spread across multiple addresses or held through third-party custodians, making them invisible in rankings based on individual wallet size.

Yet the amounts they control are massive:

• MicroStrategy: 628,791 BTC (~$74 billion USD) – Would rank 2nd if consolidated
• BlackRock: 740,601 BTC – Would be #1 in the ranking
• Fidelity: 206,846 BTC – Would be in 4th place
• Tesla: 11,509 BTC – Outside of the top 10
• U.S. Government: 198,022 BTC – Would rank 5th
• Chinese Government: 190,000 BTC – Estimated 6th place
• El Salvador: 6,254 BTC – Not in the top 10 but politically significant

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Transparency and Privacy: Two Sides of the Same Coin

Bitcoin operates on a public, decentralized ledger where every transaction is recorded on the blockchain. This allows anyone to:

• Track funds
• Identify behavior patterns
• Assess the concentration of wealth

But transparency coexists with pseudonymity. Wallets are identified by strings of letters and numbers, not names, preserving a degree of financial privacy.

This duality fuels ongoing debates:

• Regulators demand greater transparency to combat illicit activities
• Crypto advocates defend privacy as a fundamental right in the digital age

Meanwhile, large wallet movements are carefully watched by the market. For example, a large transfer from a cold wallet may be interpreted as a sell signal, potentially triggering market volatility.

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A Partial Map of the True Bitcoin Giants

The Bitinfocharts ranking provides a valuable—but incomplete—snapshot of Bitcoin’s largest wallets. The fragmentation of holdings, the use of custodial services, and Bitcoin’s pseudonymous structure all make it difficult to pinpoint true ownership.

However, the transparency of blockchain technology still allows for auditing, monitoring wallet behavior, and understanding market dynamics more clearly.

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Visible Power vs. Hidden Control

Bitcoin’s network presents a fascinating paradox: it is one of the most transparent financial systems in existence, yet true ownership remains difficult to trace.

Understanding who holds the largest amounts of BTC can offer an edge in navigating the market—but the reality is far more complex than a simple top 10 list.

In a world where trust and transparency drive adoption, visibility into major BTC wallets helps paint a clearer picture of the evolving crypto economy.

In a surprising turn of events, a cluster of early Bitcoin miner wallets — untouched for over 15 years — reactivated on Thursday, transferring a total of 250 BTC, currently valued at nearly $29.6 million.

Resurgence of Bitcoin’s Earliest Holdings

According to blockchain data from Arkham Intelligence, five dormant wallets from April 2010 — each holding the original 50 BTC block rewards — sent their balances to new SegWit addresses using the modern “bc1q” format. The original wallets, marked by the “1” prefix, are relics from Bitcoin’s infancy when mining rewards stood at 50 BTC per block and the cryptocurrency traded for fractions of a penny.

Back in 2010, the market price for Bitcoin hovered around $0.003, valuing each 50 BTC block reward at a mere $0.15. Mining was done using low-end CPUs and the primary cost was electricity — minimal by today’s standards. Energy data from the U.S. in 2010 suggests that mining a single block likely cost less than $1 in power consumption.

Signs of Custodial Shifts and Modernization

On-chain analysts from Lookonchain and Spotonchain highlighted the event on social platform X (formerly Twitter), interpreting the shift to SegWit addresses as a possible step toward modern custodial solutions or asset consolidation. These actions align with a broader trend of early adopters revisiting their long-idle wallets, particularly during the bullish momentum in 2025.

Market Absorption and Broader Whale Activity

Despite the sudden availability of 250 BTC, the market showed resilience. Bitcoin has surged over 27% year-to-date, last trading at $118,480 — just 4% below its all-time high of $122,838, according to The Block.

This isn’t an isolated event. Multiple early wallets from the 2010–2013 era have seen renewed activity in recent months. These transfers come amid rising institutional interest and larger shifts in long-term holder strategies.

Galaxy Digital Handles Massive 80,000 BTC Transfer

In a separate but equally headline-worthy development, Galaxy Digital facilitated one of the largest notional transfers in crypto history. The firm sold over 80,000 BTC (worth more than $9 million at current prices) to an early Bitcoin holder. The origin wallet, long inactive and believed to be from Bitcoin’s earliest days, has sparked speculation — with some suggesting it may have ties to Satoshi Nakamoto.

In mid-July, the whale sent 40,010 BTC and 40,191 BTC to Galaxy. Analysts say 61,697 BTC of the original stash has already moved to various exchanges, indicating a probable liquidation.

Blockchain records show that 80,009 BTC were transferred to Galaxy between July 16 and 17, followed by 30,000 BTC being moved to exchanges by that Friday.

Market Stability Amid Volatility

Interestingly, this major sell-off occurred on a volatile trading day. Bitcoin briefly dipped below $115,000, only to recover swiftly above $117,000. Despite the scale of the transaction, market analysts observed little visible impact on price — a testament to the growing depth and maturity of the BTC market.

Cryptocurrencies have emerged as both a decentralized payment method and a compelling investment asset. At the heart of this new financial paradigm lies the crypto wallet — a critical tool that allows users to securely store, manage, and transact with their digital assets. With an overwhelming number of custody platforms available in the market, selecting the right wallet requires careful consideration, particularly around security and privacy.

The Rise of Crypto and DeFi

In recent years, cryptocurrencies have revolutionized the financial landscape through the rise of decentralized finance (DeFi) and asset tokenization. According to data from the European Central Bank, 9% of Spain’s population held some form of cryptocurrency by the end of 2024 — a significant increase from 4% in 2022.

From Bitcoin to stablecoins, the crypto boom has necessitated robust infrastructure for users to interact with these assets. One such foundational tool is the crypto wallet, specifically designed to manage cryptographic keys — unlike conventional digital wallets used for fiat transactions.

How Crypto Wallets Work

Despite the name, wallets don’t actually “store” cryptocurrencies. Instead, they manage the public and private keys that provide access to the crypto stored on blockchain networks. These keys are crucial for verifying ownership and authorizing transactions.

• Public Key: Functions like an account number. It identifies a specific wallet and is shared during transactions.
• Private Key: A password-like code that grants control over the crypto assets. If compromised or lost, the assets tied to it may be irretrievably gone.

Maintaining the confidentiality of private keys is vital. Unauthorized access could lead to total loss of funds, while misplacing the key could permanently lock out the owner.

Types of Wallets: Software vs. Hardware

Crypto wallets are typically divided into two main categories:

1. Hot Wallets (Software Wallets)

These wallets remain connected to the internet and are accessible through mobile apps, web browsers, or desktop applications. They often support a range of advanced features:

• Buying and selling crypto on exchanges.
• Integrating with decentralized applications (DApps).
• Managing tokens and signing smart contracts.

However, their constant online presence makes them vulnerable to cyber threats like phishing attacks or platform-specific security flaws.

2. Cold Wallets (Hardware Wallets)

Cold wallets are offline physical devices such as USB sticks or smartcards. They connect to the internet only when needed for a transaction, significantly reducing exposure to hacking.

• They offer superior security, especially for long-term storage.
• But they come with limited functionalities and physical risks (e.g., theft, damage).

Many users adopt a hybrid strategy, using hot wallets for active trading and cold wallets for long-term storage.

Custodial vs. Non-Custodial Wallets

Another important distinction lies in custody models:

• Custodial Wallets: Managed by third parties (often exchanges or financial institutions) that store users’ private keys. These services usually include additional security measures like multi-signature access, identity verification, and role segregation.
• Non-Custodial Wallets: The user alone is responsible for managing their private keys. While this offers complete control, it also means total liability in the case of loss or theft.

Traditional Financial Institutions and Custody

Banks and traditional financial entities are entering the crypto custody space, bringing their existing infrastructure and governance mechanisms. These entities offer secure custody solutions that combine regulatory compliance with operational reliability.

For instance:

• BBVA Switzerland offers crypto access (BTC, ETH, USDC) directly from clients’ bank accounts, managing the custody of assets through its internal systems to reduce user exposure to technical risk.
• Garanti BBVA Digital Assets, developed by BBVA’s Turkish subsidiary, provides secure crypto custody and trading services through an award-winning app recognized during Istanbul Fintech Week 2024.

These offerings highlight how traditional banks are leveraging their trusted reputation to create secure crypto ecosystems.

Security and Responsibility

In a market flooded with wallet solutions, security and privacy must remain top priorities for users. Beyond choosing the right type of wallet, individuals must use them responsibly — safeguarding private keys, staying informed about phishing threats, and keeping backup recovery methods in place.

Crypto wallets are more than just storage tools; they are gateways to the broader decentralized economy. Whether you’re a casual investor or a committed crypto user, understanding how wallets work and choosing the right type for your needs is essential to navigating this fast-evolving space with confidence.

On August 4, cryptocurrency exchange Binance unveiled its latest innovation in decentralized finance: Binance Wallet (Web). This new desktop-native, self-custody web application aims to offer users a streamlined, secure way to engage with decentralized trading directly from their browsers—no browser extensions or tab switching required.

Keyless Self-Custody and Seamless Experience

Binance Wallet (Web) is built on Binance’s keyless self-custody technology, which means users retain full control over their assets without managing traditional private keys. The wallet currently supports BNB Smart Chain and Solana, offering a seamless trading experience across two of the most active blockchain ecosystems.

The platform introduces a groundbreaking feature called Secure Auto Sign (SAS). This mechanism allows users to approve a transaction once and then trade continuously for up to 7 days without having to re-confirm each transaction. Binance emphasized that SAS is powered by a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), a secure, hardware-isolated space where sensitive operations take place—ensuring that private keys are never exposed, not even to Binance itself.

Advanced Trading Tools for Power Users

Designed with professional traders in mind, Binance Wallet (Web) is more than just a basic crypto wallet. The application offers:

• Real-time portfolio tracking
• Performance analysis of top wallets
• Customizable, drag-and-drop modular trading interface
• Live sentiment monitoring from key X (formerly Twitter) accounts
• Access to emerging memecoins via the “Meme Rush” feature
• Alpha token discovery tools

This full-featured suite gives users a comprehensive view of their trading environment and simplifies strategy execution without needing multiple tabs or third-party plug-ins.

Desktop Companion to Mobile App

While Binance already offers a mobile wallet app, this web version provides additional capabilities suited to desktop use, such as a larger workspace and enhanced multitasking. It’s especially helpful for advanced users managing multiple trades or strategies simultaneously.

Security and Control at the Core

With SAS operating inside the TEE and no requirement to store or handle private keys, the Binance Wallet (Web) strikes a balance between convenience and control. It supports automated trading while keeping the user’s assets under their sole control—a step forward in secure, non-custodial trading infrastructure.