fca

According to The Block, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) finalized a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework on Tuesday, with a mandatory licensing regime set to take effect on October 25, 2027. The framework covers prudential requirements, market abuse regulation, and stablecoin standards, applicable to crypto trading platforms, custodians, stablecoin issuers, lending and staking service providers, as well as some DeFi companies with identifiable controlling entities.Businesses can apply for authorization between September 30, 2026, and February 28, 2027, and existing anti-money laundering registrations will not automatically convert. Regarding trading platform rules, the FCA requires UK-qualified crypto asset trading platforms to conduct due diligence, meet entry standards, and publish disclosure documents, while removing the previous exemption that allowed fungible crypto assets to be listed without disclosure documents. Market abuse rules cover insider trading and market manipulation.For stablecoins, the FCA has removed the obligation to forecast the redemption of reserve assets, allowed limited group internal custody arrangements, and reduced the K-SII capital ratio for stablecoin issuance from 2% to 1%. Crypto assets on qualified platforms will be subject to a unified 40% net risk exposure requirement and a 40% counterparty default volatility adjustment. FCA's Director of Payments and Digital Finance, David Geale, stated that the framework is an important milestone for crypto regulation in the UK, providing regulatory certainty while allowing businesses to maintain innovation space.

The UK Financial Conduct Authority proposed in its quarterly consultation document to allow certain approved investment funds (including UCITS funds and some non-UCITS funds) to hold up to 10% of cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes. This proposal aims to align approved funds with investor demand while ensuring adequate consumer protection.The UK Financial Conduct Authority stated that, given the speculative nature of the underlying crypto assets, it is inappropriate to allow retail-focused funds to have significant risk exposure to crypto products, and the 10% cap will set a conservative limit. Additionally, the UK Financial Conduct Authority is publicly consulting on whether non-regulated and qualified investor schemes can invest in more speculative assets without a holding limit; this public consultation will last for five weeks until July 13.

According to The Block, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed allowing authorized investment funds (including UCITS schemes and most non-UCITS retail schemes) to allocate up to 10% of their assets to cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs).This proposal is included in the FCA's 52nd quarterly consultation document, and the public and institutions have five weeks to submit their opinions, with a deadline of July 13. The FCA stated that this move aims to bridge the regulatory gap between individual retail investors and authorized funds. Since the FCA lifted the four-year retail ban on cryptocurrency ETNs in August 2025, individual investors can directly invest in ETNs, but funds were previously still subject to an "effective ban."The FCA emphasized that the 10% cap is deliberately set, as exceeding this ratio could force funds to be reclassified as restricted public investment products, affecting their retail fund status. In the proposal, professional and qualified investor schemes are not subject to the cap; long-term asset funds and non-UCITS retail schemes operating in the form of alternative investment funds will be excluded.The FCA pointed out that cryptocurrencies do not align with the investment objectives of these funds. From the industry perspective, the Investment Association supports the proposal, believing that acquiring crypto assets through regulated listed products is manageable in terms of risk, and the 10% cap helps manage fund risk. Fund managers must ensure that their holdings are consistent with the investment objectives and risk characteristics disclosed by the fund and disclose significant cryptocurrency ETN holdings.The FCA emphasized that it is not currently considering allowing authorized funds to directly hold cryptocurrency assets for investment and will make a decision after assessing the impact of the upcoming cryptocurrency asset regulatory framework and client asset protection rules.

According to Reuters, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned football clubs, including Premier League clubs, that entering into sponsorship agreements with unauthorized cryptocurrency companies and trading platforms may expose clubs to legal liabilities, money laundering risks, and reputational damage.The FCA stated that some unlicensed cryptocurrency businesses operating in the UK are reaching large fan bases through football sponsorships, potentially violating UK financial promotion rules. The regulatory body has contacted some clubs regarding these partnerships and urged them to strengthen due diligence on their partners.Lucy Castledine, the FCA's Director of Consumer Investments, stated that millions of fans trust club brands, and clubs should not allow unauthorized financial institutions to exploit this trust to promote potentially risky products to fans. UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock also stated that while sponsorship revenue is crucial for the football industry, fans have the right to know whether the companies partnering with clubs are safe, responsible, and compliant.

Aave Labs' UK subsidiaries Push Labs Ltd and Push Virtual Assets Ltd have been approved by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to register as local cryptocurrency trading service providers. Aave stated that these licenses allow Push to conduct regulated cryptocurrency and payment-related businesses in the UK.In addition to cryptocurrency registration, Push has also been approved to issue electronic money under electronic money regulations. The two companies have been assigned FCA registration numbers 1031720 and 1031721, with anti-money laundering regulations applicable under the "2017 Anti-Money Laundering and Transfer of Funds Regulations."

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Bank of England (BOE) jointly launched a public consultation on Monday, seeking industry input on the regulation, infrastructure, and market practices of tokenized wholesale financial markets in the UK. This consultation is part of the UK's digital finance market strategy, focusing on tokenized securities and post-trade infrastructure, covering areas such as prudential regulation, tokenized collateral, and settlement tools. Regulators stated that there are significant opportunities in the post-trade processes and collateral management areas for tokenization. The consultation targets banks, investment firms, asset management institutions, central securities depositories (CSD), central counterparty clearing houses (CCP), trading platforms, fintech companies, and others. The current scope mainly involves tokenized bonds, stocks, and fund shares, with potential future expansion. Market participants can submit feedback by July 3. The FCA and the Bank of England plan to publish a feedback document in the summer of 2026 and launch a roadmap for the development of the digital wholesale market within the year.Meanwhile, UK regulators are advancing the "digital securities sandbox" program, with 16 companies having passed the first phase of review and currently testing the issuance, trading, and settlement of tokenized securities. Additionally, the Bank of England has separately released a consultation document on extending the operating hours of the RTGS and CHAPS systems, planning to gradually move towards a near 7×24 hour operating model, with the goal of launching synchronized settlement services by 2028 to support tokenized assets as collateral for central bank operations and central counterparty use.

According to Crowdfund Insider, digital bank Revolut announced that its trading division, Revolut Trading Ltd, has received an extension of permissions approved by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to launch more comprehensive investment and wealth management services in the UK market.Under the newly approved Variation of Permissions (VoP) license, Revolut can now manage investment portfolios for clients and participate in certain transactions as a principal. This means that the platform will be able to offer leveraged investment products, professionally managed portfolios, and customized wealth management services for high-net-worth users in the future, all of which will be integrated into its mobile application, alongside everyday banking and payment tools.It is reported that Revolut plans to further introduce AI-driven portfolio recommendation tools, continuing its transformation into a "one-stop financial platform." Earlier this year, Revolut officially obtained a full banking license in the UK. Analysts believe that the FCA's approval indicates an increase in its maturity as a regulated financial institution, while also reflecting that fintech companies are accelerating their competition with traditional banks and wealth management institutions.

According to official news, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has officially released new industry guidelines, clarifying the standards and requirements for companies to comply with the current regulatory framework when using Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT).The new regulations also optimize the fund trading mechanism, introducing an optional direct-to-fund (D2F) model that allows investors to directly connect traditional funds with tokenized funds for transactions, significantly improving circulation efficiency. These rules were jointly formulated by the FCA and the industry, maintaining strict regulatory standards while accommodating financial innovation, helping the asset management industry reduce costs and increase efficiency, and accelerating the implementation of traditional asset tokenization.

According to a report by Reuters, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stated that it has joined forces with tax authorities and the police to search eight locations in London suspected of illegal peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading and has issued stop notices to each site.The FCA stated that evidence obtained during the inspections has supported multiple ongoing criminal investigations. This operation was conducted under anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing regulations, aiming to prevent related traders from providing channels for criminals to transfer, conceal, and use funds. Currently, there are no peer-to-peer cryptocurrency traders registered with the FCA in the UK.

This week, the UK-related economic development agency invited the management of the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit to London to meet with representatives from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the House of Lords to discuss topics such as cryptocurrency regulation, business establishment, and employment.Bybit CEO Ben Zhou stated that the UK side hopes to attract large companies to establish bases locally and promote innovation through stablecoins, tokenization, and payment system reforms. Reports indicate that this invitation coincides with the UK's FinTech Week and reflects the UK's intention to reverse the trend of funds and businesses flowing to the UAE.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released the final draft of the crypto asset framework. This new regulation is set to bring most crypto activities under the regulation of the Financial Services and Markets Act by October 25, 2027.According to the proposal, any institution that holds customer crypto assets for more than 24 hours or has the ability to revoke customer permissions will be considered a regulated custodian and must hold a full safeguarding license. Validators and node operators that provide value-added features such as yield or reward reinvestment will lose their technical exemptions. In addition, stablecoin issuers within the UK must control the entire lifecycle from issuance to redemption. Relevant institutions must submit authorization applications between September 30, 2026, and February 28, 2027.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK is seeking feedback on specific regulatory activities for digital assets under its cryptocurrency roadmap.This consultation covers how activities such as stablecoin issuance, trading platforms, custody, and staking will fall under regulatory oversight. The consultation will close on June 3, 2026, and cryptocurrency businesses can apply for FCA authorization starting September 30, 2026. The FCA stated that the consultation on the rules for the future cryptocurrency asset regime is largely complete, and a policy statement will be released this summer. Before the new legislative regime is implemented in 2027, cryptocurrency assets remain largely unregulated in the UK, except for financial promotions and financial crime purposes.

According to Cointelegraph, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that it is seeking industry feedback on guidance for the future regulatory framework for crypto assets in the UK, aimed at facilitating the implementation of a comprehensive regulatory framework that will take effect on October 25, 2027.According to the announcement, this consultation will last until June 3, 2026, and aims to help businesses understand the impact of the new regulations on their operations, providing compliance guidance for key areas such as stablecoin issuance, crypto trading, custody, and staking.The FCA stated that it hopes to establish a "competitive and sustainable" crypto market, allowing compliant institutions to better serve UK users. The FCA also disclosed that the application process for relevant crypto business licenses is expected to open in September 2026 and continue until February 2027.All institutions providing crypto asset services will need to obtain authorization under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) in the future, and previous registration under anti-money laundering frameworks will not automatically exempt them. This guidance consultation is seen as an important step in the UK's gradual improvement of its crypto regulatory system, marking an accelerated transition from partial regulation to a comprehensive licensing system.

According to market news, the UK Liberal Democrats have written to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), requesting an investigation into the relationship between Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and the Bitcoin company Stack BTC.The party questions whether Farage's appearance in the company's promotional video, while holding shares in Stack BTC, violates market rules and presents a conflict of interest. Stack BTC recently disclosed that it purchased 37 bitcoins as company reserves, valued at approximately $2.7 million, and Farage holds a 6.31% stake in Stack BTC through his media company. At the same time, the UK government is advancing a proposal to ban political donations in cryptocurrency to prevent external funding from interfering in elections. The FCA stated that it will review the relevant correspondence and respond.

According to Forbes, although the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lifted the retail ban on cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes in October 2025, actual access remains subject to multiple restrictions.Bitcoin ETNs are classified as "restricted retail market investments," requiring investors to go through processes such as risk warnings, suitability tests, and cooling-off periods, and they do not benefit from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme protection. In addition, major banks like HSBC and Barclays have imposed limits on transfers to cryptocurrency exchanges, with some banks even directly blocking related transactions.The head of European financial institutions at Bitwise Asset Management stated that the FCA's "same risk, same regulation" principle is too vague, conflating Bitcoin with speculative tokens, which forces investors to turn to offshore platforms with weaker regulations.Starting from April 2026, cryptocurrency ETNs cannot be included in mainstream ISA tax-free accounts and can only be held in innovative finance ISAs, further restricting tax-advantaged holding channels. Critics point out that regulatory measures intended to reduce risk are instead pushing investors into higher-risk environments, contrary to the original intent of consumer protection.

According to the official announcement from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the FCA has selected 4 companies to enter its regulatory sandbox to test stablecoin innovative services in a real environment with safety assurances.The selected 4 companies are Monee Financial Technologies, ReStabilise, Revolut, and VVTX, which stood out from 20 applications. Testing will begin in the first quarter of 2026, focusing on applications such as stablecoin issuance, payments, wholesale settlement, and crypto trading.FCA's Director of Payments and Digital Assets, Matthew Long, stated that this move aims to ensure the credibility of stablecoins in payments and settlements, and the test results will directly impact the final regulatory rules for UK stablecoins to be issued later in 2026.

Stablecoin issuer Agant has obtained registration for crypto asset activities from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in preparation for its upcoming pound-pegged stablecoin, GBPA.This registration is granted under the UK's anti-money laundering regulations, allowing Agant to issue the GBPA stablecoin, which will be fully backed by pounds at a 1:1 ratio, primarily targeting institutional users.Agant's CEO Andrew MacKenzie stated that a well-designed pound stablecoin provides a solid foundation for innovation in payments, settlements, and tokenized assets in the UK. The company is working closely with regulators, financial institutions, and global partners to build its platform. GBPA will enter the pound stablecoin market, which already includes products like Tokenised GBP (TGBP), the latter having a market capitalization of approximately $4.9 million.

According to PRNewswire, Blockchain.com has officially obtained registration for cryptocurrency business from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). As a company originating from York, UK, Blockchain.com has been deeply involved in the UK cryptocurrency ecosystem for over a decade. This registration enables the company to compliantly offer brokerage, custody, and institutional-grade cryptocurrency services within the UK.This milestone follows the company's acquisition of a license under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation last year, which allows it to provide cryptocurrency services in 30 European Economic Area countries. Blockchain.com plans to apply for full authorization later this year, aiming to obtain comprehensive authorization by the time the new permanent regulatory regime comes into effect in 2027.

According to the UK House of Lords Financial Services Regulatory Committee, the committee has announced the launch of an investigation into the growth of stablecoins and proposed regulations, and is now publicly seeking relevant opinions and evidence.The investigation will focus on the development of the global stablecoin market, future trends of pound-denominated stablecoins, the potential impact of stablecoins on the UK economy and financial services, as well as the applicability of the proposed regulatory framework by the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).The committee chair, Baroness Noakes DBE, stated that the purpose of this investigation is to assess the opportunities and risks brought by the growth of stablecoins and to explore whether the regulatory framework proposed by the Bank of England and the FCA can effectively respond to these changes. Experts and interested parties in the relevant fields are welcome to submit their opinions.

According to CoinDesk, UK officials have stated that as part of the government's ambitious plan to make the country an international digital asset hub, they expect banks to treat all businesses fairly, including crypto service providers.A spokesperson for the UK Treasury stated that the government has submitted crypto asset regulatory legislation to Parliament, with final rules expected to be confirmed this year, "providing the certainty needed for crypto businesses to invest and develop in the UK." The spokesperson also said, "We expect businesses to be treated fairly. Crypto businesses authorized by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) should not be discriminated against simply because of the industry they belong to. We do not want these licensed businesses to face account or transaction restrictions from banking service providers." Previous industry reports indicated that several banks in the UK still prevent customers from accessing legally registered crypto services.