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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.

According to market news, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has entered the final consultation phase for key cryptocurrency rule-making and is seeking final feedback on 10 regulatory proposals. These proposals aim to apply traditional financial standards to the crypto market, covering various aspects such as codes of conduct, credit purchases of crypto assets, regulatory reporting, asset protection, and retail collateral handling.As part of the UK government's crypto roadmap, the FCA plans to open licensing applications for crypto asset service providers in September 2026 (yet to be confirmed). This licensing regime will impose stricter oversight on crypto companies, requiring them to obtain FCA authorization to operate in the UK.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has entered the final stage of its regulatory consultation for cryptocurrency companies and is seeking feedback on how its consumer duty rules apply to crypto asset firms, with a deadline of March 12. The FCA plans to open the application process for crypto asset licenses in September 2026.Consumer duty is a regulation from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) aimed at setting high standards for how financial firms treat retail customers. The regulation requires firms to act with integrity, avoid causing foreseeable harm, and help people achieve their financial goals. Companies must provide clear information, fair pricing, and support throughout the entire customer journey (not just at the point of transaction).

According to The Block, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has hinted that it will open the application process for cryptocurrency licenses in September 2026.It is reported that cryptocurrency companies operating in or marketing to the UK need to apply for authorization or a variation of permission from the FCA under the Financial Services and Markets Act. The regulator stated that companies missing the approval deadline will enter a transitional period, allowing them to fulfill existing contracts but prohibiting the launch of new regulated cryptocurrency products.

According to CoinDesk, Ripple announced that its subsidiary Ripple Markets UK Ltd. has received registration approval from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority under the country's anti-money laundering regulations, allowing the company to conduct certain cryptocurrency-related activities in the country.

According to Cointelegraph, the UK's financial regulatory body has set a timeline for a new cryptocurrency licensing regime, requiring relevant businesses to apply for full authorization before the framework takes effect.The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stated on Thursday that starting this autumn, Crypto Asset Service Providers (CASPs) can apply to enter the UK market under this framework, with the application period expected to open in September 2026, and the timeline will be confirmed in due course; before the new regime is implemented on October 25, 2027, the FCA's application channel will provide a limited window for processing applications.As planned, companies providing regulated crypto asset services in the UK, including those currently registered under the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations and payment-related frameworks, will need to obtain authorization under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA). Companies already authorized by the FCA to conduct other regulated activities will need to change their existing permissions before the new regime takes effect; crypto companies relying on other authorized firms to approve financial promotions will need to obtain direct authorization from the FCA to promote products in the UK.The FCA requires crypto asset service companies to apply during a fixed window (at least 28 days and ending no later than 28 days before the new regime starts), with decisions expected to be made during this period before the new regime comes into effect. The legislative draft includes "transitional provisions" allowing companies to continue operating during the assessment period. Companies that miss the application window or are not authorized when the new regime starts will be subject to transitional rules, allowing them to continue operating existing products but restricting the launch of new products. Late applicants can still apply, but the FCA warns that the assessment time may be longer.

AISIM Foundation announces a collaboration with the World Friendship Foundation (WFF) to launch the WFF×AISIM co-branded VISA debit card. This card anchors on the core of "Web5+Life Infrastructure," establishing a super entrance to connect the WFCA ecosystem with the real world.Instant Payments: Supports mainstream stablecoins such as USDT/USDC, achieving seamless integration of digital assets and real-world consumption through the global VISA settlement network.Ecological Closed Loop: Will fully open WFCA stablecoin recharge in the future, connecting the payment closed loop of the WFCA economic circle globally.Hardcore Implementation: Combines AISIM's existing global communication business to build a next-generation Web5 application model that integrates decentralized networks with physical infrastructure.

The UK plans to bring crypto assets under financial services regulation by October 2027. HM Treasury submitted the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Crypto Assets) Regulations 2025 to Parliament in December 2025, aiming to incorporate activities such as operating trading platforms, custody, staking, and lending into a formal authorization framework.The FCA has published three consultation papers proposing to implement governance, disclosure, anti-market manipulation, and prudential capital requirements for trading platforms, token issuers, and service providers similar to those in traditional finance. Additionally, the UK government has initiated an independent review of foreign financial interference, assessing political financing risks, including cryptocurrency donations, with a related report expected to be completed by March 2026.

The AISIM Foundation announced a collaboration with the World Friendship Foundation (WFF) aimed at the official launch in 2026. This partnership will further strengthen the implementation of the AISIM project as the core of the next-generation model of "life infrastructure × Web5" within the WFCA ecosystem, which is based on the concept of "World Friendship." By integrating decentralized networks with real-life infrastructure, it will promote the expansion of the WFCA stablecoin economic circle.As an "AI + Communication" project that connects Web5 through communication eSIM, AISIM is continuously expanding its community with a focus on Southeast Asia and Africa. Starting from "communication that is used every day," AISIM is building a user path that allows anyone to naturally participate in Web5, aiming to expand the real usage scale of AISIM's communication services and AI Agent services.AISIM stated that it will continue to promote the social implementation and application expansion of the WFCA ecosystem based on real assets and daily usage paths.

According to CoinDesk, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved the crypto payment application Sling Money, owned by Avian Labs, to provide crypto services in the UK, making it one of the crypto payment companies to receive regulatory support from a major jurisdiction.The application is currently in a closed testing phase in the UK, having previously obtained regulatory approval in the Netherlands and the United States.

According to Reuters, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a wide-ranging consultation on Tuesday regarding a series of proposed rules for the cryptocurrency industry.The day before, the UK government announced that it would implement regulations for the industry starting in October 2027. Alongside the announcement of related proposals, the FCA also released a research report indicating that the proportion of UK adults holding cryptocurrencies has decreased by one-third over the past year, from 12% to 8%. The FCA stated on Tuesday that its rules will cover the listing of crypto assets, measures to prevent insider trading and manipulation, standards for cryptocurrency trading platforms, and broker regulations.The agency is also consulting on matters such as prudential requirements, regulatory provisions to clarify the risks of cryptocurrency staking, enhanced protections for both parties in cryptocurrency lending, and potential financial safeguards for managing risks in crypto companies. The FCA is seeking feedback on its proposals, with a deadline of February 12, 2026. The regulatory body has committed to finalizing the regulatory framework by the end of next year.

The UK Treasury is drafting new regulations aimed at bringing cryptocurrencies and digital assets under regulatory oversight.Under this legislation, cryptocurrencies will be regulated in a manner similar to other financial products, expected to take effect in 2027. The new rules will require cryptocurrency companies to meet a series of standards overseen by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that bringing cryptocurrencies under regulation is a key step in ensuring the UK remains a leading global financial center in the digital age.This move will provide clear rules for businesses while offering stronger protections for consumers and excluding criminals from the UK market. According to the proposed amendments, companies providing cryptocurrency services will fall under the FCA's jurisdiction, and their services will be regulated like other financial products, including compliance with transparency standards. These companies include cryptocurrency exchanges and digital wallets, which must register with the FCA if their services fall within the scope of UK anti-money laundering regulations.

According to DL News, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that pound-pegged stablecoins will be a focus of its work in the coming year. This initiative is part of the UK's diversified strategy to promote economic growth, which also includes digital financial services, enhancing international trade competitiveness, and expanding lending services to small businesses.FCA CEO Nikhil Rathi stated in a letter to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the agency plans to finalize digital asset regulations by 2026 and advance the issuance of pound stablecoins in the UK. Currently, there are less than $6 million in pound-pegged stablecoins in the market, while the total stablecoin market size has reached $308 billion.

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has released a discussion paper and a consultation paper proposing several reforms aimed at "enhancing the investment culture in the UK," and is officially seeking feedback from the crypto industry.The FCA stated that it intends to adjust customer classification and rules related to conflicts of interest while "broadening consumer investment channels." The FCA pointed out that the poor investment performance on high digital participation (DEP) applications is almost entirely due to trading in crypto assets and contracts for difference (CFDs). Regulators emphasized that some users are making investments through "crypto asset proxy products" without limits, risk warnings, or suitability tests, posing significant potential risks.In the consultation paper, the FCA suggested new guidelines: for clients whose main investment history is concentrated in high-risk speculative assets or crypto assets, this should not be considered as evidence of "having professional investment capability," unless they have sufficient evidence to meet the professional investor threshold, including the ability to bear potential losses.The FCA stated that this reform aims to simplify the regulatory framework, placing clearer review responsibilities on institutions rather than relying on past "more arbitrary tests." The regulatory body requires businesses involved in the consultation or sale of crypto assets to submit feedback by February and March of next year.In recent years, the UK has gradually advanced the modernization of crypto regulation, including officially recognizing digital assets as "property" in 2024, providing clearer legal grounds for cases such as theft and bankruptcy. At the same time, the government is also assessing whether to ban donations of crypto assets to political parties.

According to Bloomberg, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced on Monday plans to amend a series of rules aimed at simplifying the process for the British public to participate in market investments.Under the new regulations, investment firms will no longer be required to provide complex key information documents for retail products, replaced instead by a more concise "product summary."

The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved London-based company ClearToken to launch the regulated digital asset settlement platform CT Settle, which will adopt a delivery versus payment (DvP) mechanism, allowing institutions to conduct simultaneous settlements using cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and fiat currencies. It is reported that this regulatory approval grants ClearToken dual qualifications as an "Authorized Payment Institution" and "Crypto Asset Registered Entity." The company plans to further expand into central clearing and margin services through the Bank of England's "Digital Securities Sandbox."