fca

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.

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.