IG Group has introduced its first direct digital asset product in Australia with the launch of the IG Markets cryptocurrency trading app, as reported by ITBrief.

The mobile-only platform allows retail users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Cardano, and Solana using Australian dollars.

The expansion uses the infrastructure of Independent Reserve, a local cryptocurrency exchange that IG Group previously acquired, adding an established customer base of 500,000 users.

Growing retail demand

The launch follows data from the 2026 Independent Reserve Cryptocurrency Index, which reveals that 33% of Australians now own cryptocurrency.

This figure is up from 31% in the previous year, while national awareness of digital assets has reached 95%.

Among demographics aged 25 to 34, adoption rises to 53%, indicating resilient retail interest despite historic market volatility.

“With a third of the adult population owning crypto, it’s clear that the product has graduated to a mainstream asset class,”

said Michael Jones, Managing Director AUNZ, IG Markets Australia.

Jones noted that investors are increasingly looking outside the property market to grow wealth, creating a clear demand for platforms that match mainstream financial product standards.

Further consumer data indicates that nearly one in four adults view digital assets as a viable path to financial independence over the next 15 years.

For Australians under 40, approximately 39% believe that renting long-term and investing in cryptocurrency is a smarter strategy than buying property.

Evolving regulatory frameworks

The product rollout coincides with a shift in the domestic regulatory environment. Upcoming legislation will require cryptocurrency exchanges to operate under the Australian Financial Services License regime after a formal transition window.

According to the 2026 index, 51% of Australians state that the passage of the Digital Assets Framework Bill will boost their confidence in crypto platforms.

To address security concerns, the application features client money segregation from corporate funds and draws on Independent Reserve’s onshore exchange setup.

Support channels are provided during domestic business hours, alongside extended digital customer service options.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News Australia, based on image by IG Group