ASX hit with new obligations, $150m capital charge

Mike Taylor

Managing Editor/Publisher, Financial Newswire

15 December 2025

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has obtained a series of commitments from the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) including the imposition of additional $150 million capital charge.

The regulator’s announcement follows the completion of an inquiry by an expert panel started in June with the report finding that while some progress has been made, more of the same is not an option.

It said the scale of transformation required is “significant and cannot be achieved through current tactical, incremental measures or business as usual”.

ASIC said it had obtained the following commitments:

• Strengthening the independence and governance of ASX’s Clearing and Settlement Facilities Boards
• A strategic reset of ASX’s transformation program ‘Accelerate’, with clear milestones and accountability for delivery
• The imposition of an additional $150 million capital charge on ASX Limited to ensure ASX maintains robust financial resources until remediation is complete
• A commitment to stronger leadership

It said that, in addition, ASIC and the RBA will step up their review to uplift their joint supervisory model.

ASIC chair, Joe Longo said urgent action is needed to set the ASX on the right path and added described the package as a circuit-breaker.

ASX chair, David Clarke described the agreement with ASIC as significant and the expert panel’s report as “challenging reading”.

“Addressing the findings in the Panel’s Interim Report and successfully implementing the strategic package of actions is the highest priority for Board and management. Demonstrating diligent and disciplined execution is what will build confidence in ASX and we must earn the right each day to be the respected stewards of critical market infrastructure.

“We know transformation takes effort and persistence.

“Today’s agreed commitments to the strategic package of actions provide an important foundation for our future work,” Clarke said.