# Australian-owned crypto exchange since 2017 > About Digital Surge: an Australian-owned crypto exchange founded in 2017, AUSTRAC-registered (100576214) and trusted by 50,000+ customers. About Digital Surge Digital Surge exists to give everyday Australians and local businesses a simpler, more approachable way to access cryptocurrency. That means buying, selling and trading in Australian dollars, with the record-keeping and support kept onshore. Founded 2017Australian-owned & operated50,000+ customers 01 · Ownership ## Who owns and operates Digital Surge? Digital Surge is Australian-owned and operated: its ownership, staff and day-to-day operations all sit onshore, run by a local team rather than a foreign platform serving the country from a distance. That local ownership underpins how the company is structured, staffed and held accountable. It's the trust foundation the rest of this page builds on. ### Who founded Digital Surge? Digital Surge was founded in 2017 by Josh Lehman and Dan Rutter and started as a small, Bitcoin-only exchange, one of the country's earliest. It has stayed under the same Australian ownership ever since, expanding from that single-coin start into the multi-asset exchange serving tens of thousands of customers today. 02 · Registration ## Is Digital Surge registered with AUSTRAC? Yes. Digital Surge is registered with **AUSTRAC**, Australia's anti-money-laundering and financial-crimes agency, under registration number **100576214**, and operates in line with its AML/CTF obligations under Australian law. You can confirm this on AUSTRAC's [Virtual Asset Service Provider Register](https://online.apps.austrac.gov.au/vaspr) by searching our company name or ACN. AUSTRAC registration is a legal requirement for crypto exchanges operating in Australia and a baseline trust signal when you choose where to trade. 03 · Track record ## Is Digital Surge safe and legitimate? What makes an exchange "legit" is a track record you can check. Digital Surge has run continuously since launch, growing through multiple market cycles and serving tens of thousands of customers rather than appearing overnight. The registration and company-status details sit in the sections above; for the specific measures that protect your account and funds, see [how Digital Surge secures your crypto](/security/). 04 · Local ## Why choosing a local exchange matters Choosing an Australian-owned exchange means you transact in Australian dollars, deal with a company accountable under Australian law, and use a service structured to align with local tax rules. Your crypto activity and its record-keeping stay onshore. It also means help from a locally based team, plus support for [company and business accounts](/company-or-business-accounts/) and [SMSF crypto accounts](/smsf/) if you run a company or fund. New here? See [how buying and selling works](/how-it-works/) and our [transparent fee schedule](/fees/). ## The Digital Surge story: our milestones Since launch, Digital Surge has grown from one of Australia's early Bitcoin exchanges into a platform used by tens of thousands of Australians. The timeline below marks the moments along the way. 1. 2017 Founded in Australia as a Bitcoin-only exchange 2. 2018 Won a QUT award for innovation 3. 2019 Achieved a period of record-breaking growth 4. 2021 Reached 36,000 accounts 5. 2022 Won Finder's Exchange Value Award; passed $1 billion in cumulative trading volume 6. 2024 $1.5 billion traded; surpassed 50,000 customers 7. 2026 WeMoney Awards finalist for SMSF crypto; launched the Agentic AI Connector ## Trusted by Australian crypto traders Digital Surge holds a customer rating of **4.80 out of 5** on Reviews.io. ![Two Digital Surge customers at a cafe looking at the app together](/assets/about/day-mates-cafe-v2.webp?v=59f7c532) > Loved by 50,000+ customers. Trusted with over $1.8B traded. [Read on Reviews.io](https://www.reviews.io/company-reviews/store/digitalsurge-com-au) FAQ ## Frequently asked questions What is Digital Surge? Digital Surge is an Australian crypto exchange where everyday people and businesses can buy, sell and swap cryptocurrency using local currency. It's Australian-owned and established in 2017, and it keeps the experience simple and intuitive, with help from a team based in Australia. Where is Digital Surge located? Digital Surge is based in Australia: the company operates onshore and its team and support work in Australian time zones, registered under Australian company number ACN 620 473 109. How many cryptocurrencies can you trade on Digital Surge? 400+ and counting. The live list is always shown in-app, so check there for the current range you can buy, sell and swap. Does being Australian-owned improve customer support? Being based in Australia means you reach help in your own timezone, from people who understand local banking, AUD deposits and the Australian tax context. That's the personalised, knowledgeable assistance Digital Surge aims for. For contact channels and hours, see our Australian-based support team. ## Questions about Digital Surge? --- *Source: [Australian-owned crypto exchange since 2017](/about-us/) · Last updated: 2026-08-12*