Crypto regulation in the UK
In the UK, banks, insurers and investment firms need an authorization under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). Crypto firms only had to register with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for anti-money-laundering purposes. That changes on October 25, 2027, when crypto trading platforms, brokers, custodians, stablecoin issuers and staking providers come under full FCA authorization. Dated events on crypto regulation are in the calendar below.
The law: SI 2026/102
The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 were made on February 4, 2026, as Browne Jacobson notes. They add new regulated activities: operating a crypto trading platform, dealing and arranging deals as an intermediary, safeguarding crypto for clients, issuing a qualifying stablecoin in the UK and staking. Until the regime starts, the FCA oversees crypto firms only for financial promotions and anti-money-laundering registration.
The FCA rules of June 30, 2026
The FCA published its final rules on June 30, 2026 in five policy statements, which BCLP lists: PS26/9 on admissions, disclosures and market abuse, PS26/10 on stablecoin issuance, PS26/11 on the regulated activities, PS26/12 on prudential requirements and PS26/13 on Handbook changes, plus three guidance documents. For stablecoin issuers the FCA lowered a capital coefficient from 2 to 1 percent, and issuers may not pass income from the backing assets to holders.
Applying for authorization
The application window runs from September 30, 2026 to February 28, 2027, and the regime goes live on October 25, 2027, according to Paul Hastings. An FCA registration under the Money Laundering Regulations does not turn into an authorization; registered firms apply like new ones. Firms that approve crypto promotions for others under section 21 of FSMA also need the new authorization.
The UK regime is separate from MiCA. A MiCA license from an EU country gives no access to UK clients, and a UK authorization none to EU clients; the page on reverse solicitation covers the narrow exception on the EU side.
Finance Loop, the meeting place for MiCA compliance
Finance Loop is the meeting place for people at banks, brokers, crypto firms and law firms who apply MiCA. The Bybit EU Crypto Evening at TechQuartier dealt with compliance under MiCAR, and Finance Loop lists the MiCAR certificate program of EBS Executive School and HEUKING. Finance Loop connects the finance, IT and AI communities at events in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg.
Upcoming events on crypto regulation
Risk & Compliance
Investment & Digital Assets
Is crypto regulated in the UK?
Partly, until October 25, 2027. Crypto firms register with the FCA for anti-money-laundering purposes and follow the rules on financial promotions. From October 25, 2027 trading platforms, intermediaries, custodians, stablecoin issuers and staking providers need full FCA authorization.
When does the FCA crypto regime start?
On October 25, 2027. Firms apply between September 30, 2026 and February 28, 2027.
Does a MiCA license allow a firm to serve UK clients?
No. The UK left the EU before MiCA applied, and there is no passport between the two regimes. A firm needs a UK authorization for UK clients.
Crypto regulation in the UK and Finance Loop
Finance Loop covers crypto regulation in its Risk & Compliance track, MiCA in the EU and the regimes next door in the UK and Switzerland. Finance Loop brings compliance officers of banks, brokers and crypto firms together with lawyers and supervisors at events in Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin and Hamburg.
Finance Loop is a professional network and has the goal of driving the adoption of emerging technologies in finance, such as AI, digital payments, cloud and blockchain solutions. Finance Loop helps its members build skills and personal networks in these fields: Investment & Digital Assets, Payments & Digital Money, Digital Infrastructure & Sovereignty, and Risk & Compliance.