From 1 July 2026, HardBlock will be required to implement new obligations under AUSTRAC’s Travel Rule requirements.
That means we’re making a change to the way Bitcoin withdrawals work at HardBlock.
The short version is this:
If you buy Bitcoin through HardBlock and withdraw it to your own wallet, very little will change.
But HardBlock will no longer support withdrawals directly to custodial wallets.
What is the Travel Rule?
The Travel Rule is a regulatory requirement that applies to certain transfers between regulated or custodial services.
Because Bitcoin held in your HardBlock account is considered to be held in a custodial wallet, HardBlock has obligations when customers send Bitcoin from HardBlock to another custodial wallet.
Those obligations may include providing information that allows the transaction to be traced.
Importantly, sending Bitcoin to a non-custodial wallet – a wallet where you control the private keys – can continue without the same requirement to send Travel Rule information.
What is changing?
HardBlock has chosen to stop supporting Bitcoin withdrawals directly to, or deposits from, custodial wallets.
We understand this may make the app less convenient for some users. But we believe this is the best way to stay aligned with our values: helping customers save in Bitcoin for the long term, and encouraging self-custody where customers control their own keys.
As Bitcoiners often say:
Not your keys, not your coins.
What counts as a custodial wallet?
A custodial wallet is a wallet where another company or service controls the keys on your behalf.
Examples of withdrawals or deposits that will no longer be supported directly from HardBlock include:
- Sending Bitcoin from your HardBlock account to another custodial Bitcoin exchange, or depositing Bitcoin from another custodial exchange.
- Sending Bitcoin to a custodial service, such as certain staking, trading, or gambling platforms. Or, depositing Bitcoin into your Hardblock account from those same places.
- Sending Bitcoin directly to a merchant that uses a custodial Bitcoin wallet service, or having a customer or friend of yours pay you in Bitcoin directly into your Hardblock account.
If you currently use HardBlock for transactions like these, you will now need to send your Bitcoin to a self-custodial wallet first, then send it on from there.
What if I withdraw to my own wallet?
For customers who buy Bitcoin through HardBlock and withdraw to their own wallet, very little will change.
You will simply see a one-time requirement to confirm that you control the keys to the wallet you are withdrawing to.
Where possible, we also encourage customers to avoid address reuse as part of good Bitcoin privacy and security practice.
What about Lightning?
Lightning withdrawals are more technically challenging.
Our initial implementation will support a limited number of Lightning wallets, including Wallet of Satoshi, Phoenix Wallet, Cake Wallet and Alby.
If there is another non-custodial Lightning wallet you would like HardBlock to support, please email support@hardblock.com.au and we will do our best to include it in future development.
Deposits from non-custodial Lightning wallets are allowed at this time, but note this is subject to change as the regulations evolve. You must ensure that you are only sending from a non-custodial address – sending from a custodial lightning wallet may see your account get disabled due to a violation of our terms.
Need help?
We know these changes may add an extra step for some customers.
But we believe this approach is the best way to comply with our regulatory obligations while continuing to encourage long-term Bitcoin saving and self-custody.
If you have any questions, please contact our support team anytime at support@hardblock.com.au.
