Australia’s Digital Economy: A $19 billion opportunity waiting to be unlocked

At Australia’s recent Digital Economy Conference 2025, one thing became clear: Australia is at a pivotal moment. The foundations of a digital economy are rapidly being laid — but whether we can seize the opportunity depends on what we do next.

The potential is huge. New economic modelling from DECA, DFCRC and OKX presented at the conference estimates that improving the way markets, payments and assets interact through digital infrastructure could unlock $19 billion in annual productivity gains. That’s not a headline number. It’s the result of faster capital flow, tokenised markets, programmable payments, and more efficient asset settlement. And it’s within reach.

But unlocking this opportunity isn’t about betting on the next token or trend. It’s fundamentally about building trust, putting the right infrastructure in place, and equipping institutions — whether they’re asset managers, super funds, banks, or fintechs — with the tools and regulatory clarity they need to participate safely and at scale.

From experimentation to productivity

Over the last few years, Australia’s digital asset industry has moved from speculative experimentation to serious economic ambition. Where once the focus was on price action and early adoption, the conversation is now centred on capital efficiency, compliance, and infrastructure that works quietly in the background.

Tokenisation, for example, is no longer a thought exercise. It’s being actively explored across trade finance, private debt, and real-world asset markets. Stablecoins are no longer just for arbitrage, they’re forming the base layer of modern treasury and settlement systems. And staking is evolving from an early adopter community activity to a structured yield opportunity, with growing institutional interest across APAC.

But ambition alone isn’t enough. For this next phase to take hold, institutions need a safe, trusted, and clearly regulated path forward.

Australia’s moment — if we choose to lead

Australia is uniquely placed to lead. We have a highly engaged investor base, world-class financial services capability, and a growing ecosystem of digital asset innovators. We also punch above our weight: by some measures, Australians are among the most crypto-curious and crypto-active populations globally.

But progress is uneven. Regulation remains in flux. Tax clarity is lacking. Custody standards are inconsistent. And many potential players — including Self Managed Super Funds and advisors — are watching from the sidelines, unsure whether it’s safe to step in.

The result? We’re sitting on the edge of a transformation that could bring real economic gains — but without the confidence, coordination and clarity to move at speed.

Institutional builders are the key

This is where institutional infrastructure providers like Zodia Custody come in.

Trusted custody, robust controls, and safe access are what enable the broader ecosystem to flourish. It’s not just about safekeeping assets — it’s about unlocking activity: staking, tokenisation, settlement, and more.

Institutions don’t want to build everything themselves. They want partners who can bridge the old and new, with the same standards they expect in traditional finance. That’s where the industry is headed. And that’s where we’re focused.

The flywheel effect

DECA conference speakers returned again and again to the idea of a “digital economy flywheel”: Talent. Innovation. Capital. Adoption. When all four move in sync, momentum follows.

But right now, that flywheel is missing a critical force: trust.

Australia’s $19 billion digital asset opportunity isn’t a distant vision — it’s real, and it’s within reach. But it won’t be unlocked by hype. It will be driven by institutions, working hand-in-hand with regulators and infrastructure providers, to build the next chapter of our financial system.

Let’s get to work — and build the trust together.