What does the Travel Rule mean for me?

From 1 July 2026, new Australian regulations known as the Travel Rule will apply to digital asset transfers.

The good news? Buying, selling and using AUDM isn't changing. The main difference is that when you send or receive digital assets to or from external wallets and exchanges, we may need a little more information about the people, businesses or platforms involved.

Think of it as the digital asset equivalent of the information that already travels with an international bank transfer.

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What is the Travel Rule?

The Travel Rule is part of Australia's updated Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) framework.

It requires digital asset providers (like Macropod) to collect and share certain information about the sender and recipient when digital assets move between regulated providers.

Banks have been doing something similar for years. The Travel Rule simply brings digital assets into line with the standards already used across the broader financial system.

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When does the Travel Rule start?

Travel Rule requirements take effect from 1 July 2026.

You may begin seeing wallet roo-view and classification requests around this time. We'll guide you through any actions required within the platform.

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Why is it being introduced?

The short answer: to make the process even more secure.

The Travel Rule helps:

• Reduce fraud and financial crime
• Improve the traceability of suspicious transactions
• Support the recovery of stolen assets
• Align Australia's digital asset industry with international standards

As digital assets become a bigger part of everyday finance, these standards help build trust and confidence across the ecosystem.

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What's changing?

When you send or receive digital assets to or from external wallets and exchanges, you may be asked to provide some additional information.

For example, we may ask:

• Ownership: ‘I own this wallet’ or ‘Someone else’
• Wallet type: ‘Hosted’ or ‘Unhosted’ 

Nothing too dramatic. Just enough information to satisfy the new requirements.

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What do I need to do?

Existing customers: From 1 July, you'll see a banner prompting you to complete a one-time Travel Rule declaration for your existing wallets. Until a wallet has been declared, any mint or burn transactions involving that wallet will be held.

New customers and new wallets: Travel Rule information will be collected as part of the wallet whitelisting process.

We've also introduced new wallet status labels letting you know if action is needed before the wallet can be used, or if the wallet is awaiting roo-view by our operations team. You’ll see them when you log in. 

Why are we asking?

The Travel Rule introduces new requirements for digital asset transfers. To help keep the ecosystem secure and compliant, we need to know a little more about the wallets connected to your account.

What happens if I ignore this?

Your undeclared wallets may not be available for future transfers until the required information has been provided.

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What happens when I mint digital assets?

Before an external wallet can be used, we'll collect and verify the information we need to meet our regulatory requirements.

The good news? Once that's done, it's done. You won't need to provide the same information every time you mint digital assets to that wallet.

We're working hard to keep the process as smooth, secure and straightforward as possible.

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What happens when I receive digital assets?

In many cases, nothing at all. If you're receiving digital assets from a wallet that you've already whitelisted and classified in your Macropod account, the transfer can be processed without any additional action from you.

If you're receiving digital assets from an exchange or custody platform that hasn't yet been whitelisted in Macropod, the transfer may be held until you add and classify that wallet in your Macropod account. This helps ensure that the required Travel Rule information can be collected and shared. Your exchange or custody platform may also ask you to provide information about your Macropod wallet before they release the transfer.

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What is a wallet declaration?

A wallet declaration helps us understand who owns a wallet and what type of wallet it is.

When adding your wallet, you may be asked to confirm that it belongs to you and whether it is self hosted or hosted by an exchange or custody platform. 

It's a one-time check designed to make future transfers simpler.

A little paperwork now means fewer interruptions later.

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I'm using a company account. Who owns the wallet?

If you're an authorised user operating a company account, any wallets used by the business should be classified as belonging to the company, not to you personally.

When we ask about wallet ownership, we're asking who ultimately controls and uses the wallet. For company accounts, this will typically be the company itself.

If you're unsure how a wallet should be classified, our team is happy to help.

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What's the difference between a hosted and unhosted wallet?

A hosted wallet is managed by a digital asset provider such as an exchange or custodian.

Examples include wallets held with exchanges or other regulated digital asset platforms.

An unhosted wallet (sometimes called a self-hosted wallet) is controlled directly by you.

Examples include wallets such as MetaMask, Ledger and other wallets where you control the private keys.

When classifying a wallet, we'll ask you which type applies so we can meet Travel Rule requirements.

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Will I need to do this every time?

Usually not.

Once a wallet has been roo-viewed and classified, you'll generally be able to continue using it without repeating the process.

In some circumstances, we may need to request updated information if details change or additional checks are required.

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Is my personal information shared on the blockchain?

Absolutely not.

Travel Rule information is exchanged securely between regulated providers using encrypted systems that operate separately from the blockchain itself.

Your personal information is not written to the blockchain or made publicly visible.

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Is my information safe?

Yes.

Protecting customer information is a core part of how we operate.

Travel Rule information is transmitted securely and handled in accordance with Australian privacy laws and our internal security standards.

In other words: your data isn't going on a world tour just because it's called the Travel Rule.

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Do I need to do anything right now?

If you've already added wallets to your account, you will be asked to roo-view and classify them when Travel Rule requirements go live.

Most customers will be finished before their coffee gets cold.

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What happens if I don't roo-view my wallets?

Wallets that require classification may be unavailable for certain activities until the required information has been provided.

This may affect your ability to:

• Initiate certain transactions
• Use specific wallets for transfers

We'll always let you know what action is required and guide you through the process.

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Why am I being asked to roo-view wallets I've already been using?

From 1 July the Travel Rule introduces new information requirements that didn't previously exist.

If you've already added wallets to your account, we may ask you to roo-view and classify them when the Travel Rule comes into effect.

This is a one-time process that helps us meet the new requirements while keeping future transfers running smoothly.

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What happens if I don't provide the required information?

If required Travel Rule information isn't available, some transfers may be delayed, restricted or returned until the necessary details can be confirmed.

We know that's not ideal, which is why we'll always aim to make it clear what information is needed and why.

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Does this affect AUDM?

AUDM continues to work exactly as it does today.

The Travel Rule affects the information that accompanies certain transfers, not the way AUDM itself operates.

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Why is Macropod supporting the Travel Rule?

Because the future of digital assets isn't just about innovation. It's about trust.

The Travel Rule helps create a safer, more connected ecosystem where businesses, institutions and individuals can move value with confidence.

It's another step towards making digital assets a normal part of everyday finance.

And while there's a little extra admin involved, we think that's a pretty good trade-off for a stronger ecosystem.

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Need a hand?

If you have questions about the Travel Rule or need help with a wallet declaration, our team is here to help.

We'll do our best to keep the process simple, explain things in plain English and avoid making you read more compliance jargon than absolutely necessary.

hops@macropod.com