Australia’s crypto moment is here, but it’s far from settled. Despite boasting one of the highest per-capita adoption rates globally, the country sits at a crossroads — with regulators, exchanges, and users all shaping what comes next. OKX’s Australian expansion arrives in the thick of this tension, betting that local trust, compliance, and infrastructure will define the market’s next chapter.

At the helm is Kate Cooper, a seasoned leader who has navigated complex shifts across both traditional finance and digital assets. In this Q&A, Cooper shares her perspective on where Australia stands in the global crypto economy, what leadership looks like in uncertain times, and how OKX aims to build far more than just another trading platform.

BeInCrypto: You’ve worked across both traditional finance and Web3, giving you a rare vantage point. What would you say are the biggest forces driving crypto adoption in Australia right now? And are those forces more cultural, regulatory, or purely market-driven?

Kate Cooper: With more than one in three Australians having owned crypto, we’re well beyond early adoption. From my time in TradFi and the crypto industry, I’ve seen that Australians focus heavily on utility, security, and transparency. 

The combination of trusted platforms and local features is also driving adoption. Australians want AUD trading pairs, proper on/off ramps, and the confidence of working with a regulated exchange. 

They also want reliable ways to make crypto a part of their long-term investment planning. We are seeing demand for Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSFs) offerings that include digital assets for portfolio diversification, something unheard of even a few years ago. That’s why we’re building a team of 20+ people in Sydney and around the country, growing to 45 by year-end, to understand local needs while leveraging global technology.

Trust remains key. From my time at NAB and Zodia Custody, I learned that institutional-grade security and compliance aren’t just nice-to-have; they’re essential for mainstream adoption. That’s why I joined OKX — to bring that level of trust while building products that serve Australian investors’ needs.

BeInCrypto: Australia is seen as a promising market for crypto, but regulation remains a work in progress. From your perspective, how do you see things unfolding, and what signals should the industry be paying attention to?

Kate Cooper: At OKX Australia, we anticipated early that major players would need an Australian Financial Services (AFS) licence (issued by ASIC) – which we already hold to offer derivatives trading for wholesale clients*. What we’re seeing is that proper licensing is an imperative. With more than one in three Aussies having owned crypto – and our February and March monthly trading volumes exceeding 3 billion AUD –  the stakes for getting regulation right have never been higher.

I believe we’re at a pivotal moment where getting regulation right also means encouraging the creation of specific frameworks tailored for digital assets – essentially the first new asset class in 25 years. It’s about finding ways to protect everyday Australians while enabling innovation, and making sure Australia doesn’t fall behind in this increasingly competitive global digital asset landscape.

BeInCrypto: Zooming out a little, how do you think Australia compares to other APAC markets when it comes to fostering a healthy crypto ecosystem? Are there lessons we should be paying more attention to or examples we might be quietly setting for the region?

Kate Cooper: I see Australia’s position as unique. We have sophisticated market infrastructure, strong financial services expertise and a robust superannuation system that sets us apart. While some other jurisdictions have moved faster on specific crypto regulations, Australia has the potential to be in a leadership role because of our fundamental strengths.

The key distinction is our approach to combining innovation with consumer protection. Our vision reflects this – we want to be the primary infrastructure layer for Australia’s digital economy, connecting people, capital and opportunities through transparent systems. But we need to move faster on fit-for-purpose regulation to maintain our competitive edge in the region.

BeInCrypto: You’ve led digital transformation efforts across wildly different domains, from helping the UK government build its first social media strategy to managing crisis engagement for global brands. How do those experiences shape the way you lead OKX Australia today, especially in such a fast-moving sector?

Kate Cooper: Looking back to when I was heading up the UK Government’s first social media strategy, I learned something that’s stuck with me. I walked in thinking I’d just set up some Twitter accounts, but found myself trying to change how an entire government system communicated with its citizens. It felt like wading through treacle most days, until a senior cabinet minister pulled me aside and said something I’ll never forget: “Even a 1% difference can have massive ripple effects for years to come.”

From those days at Number 10, through leading innovation at TradFi institutions like Westpac and NAB, to now leading OKX Australia, I’ve learned that successful change requires both vision and practical steps. We’re applying these same principles in the digital asset space, balancing innovation with careful execution. 

That’s why we’re focused on building strong foundations with our local team while pushing innovation in areas like our trading bots and direct AUD rails. Our 13x growth in customer base since launch shows this approach works, proving that meaningful change happens when you combine a bold vision with careful execution.

BeInCrypto: What does OKX aim to become in the Australian crypto ecosystem, beyond just being an exchange? Are there particular gaps in education, infrastructure, or user trust that you’re especially focused on bridging?

Kate Cooper: Our ambition extends beyond being a crypto trading platform. We’re building comprehensive infrastructure for Australia’s digital economy, with our recently launched Spot Grid Bot and DCA Martingale Bot bringing professional-grade trading tools to everyday Australians, helping customers execute strategies 24/7 while managing risk.

What drives us is constant feedback from our Australian customers and strong partnerships across the financial ecosystem, from mainstream banks to technology providers, including active participation in industry bodies like the Digital Economy Council of Australia (DECA). 

Our focus is on education and genuine community engagement, helping people understand the real value of digital assets in their financial lives. Whether through educational initiatives or strong presence at events like the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, we’re creating spaces where everyone can connect and explore the future of finance together.

Combined with direct AUD deposits and withdrawals, over 511 spot pairs and our strong focus on compliance, we’re building an ecosystem where Australians can confidently explore digital assets.

BeIncrypto: Looking ahead to the next 12 months, what will success look like for you and your team at OKX Australia?

Kate Cooper: Looking ahead, success means building on what we’ve started. Our goals are clear: expanding our local team, rolling out more products beyond our trading bots, and maintaining our compliance record. We’re focusing on institutional and SMSF offerings while making crypto more approachable through educational campaigns and community initiatives like our Ordinals World Tour, which brings together Bitcoin builders, artists and creators.

For me, success is serving everyone well, whether you’re a sophisticated wholesale investor or just starting with crypto. That means building reliable infrastructure with practical features like direct AUD on/off ramps, while never compromising on security and compliance.

*Derivatives and margin-related products and services will be provided to verified wholesale clients only by OKX Australia Financial Pty Ltd, provided that they pass a suitability assessment (if applicable) and meet the definition of a wholesale client as set out in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).