Policy Reference

United Kingdom

Explore UK crypto laws, including FCA registration, promotions rules, stablecoin policy, taxes, AML compliance, and digital asset regulation.

Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
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Law database

22 law profiles

Law / Bill
Draft Intro Committee Passed Enacted Effective
Bank of England Regulatory Regime for Sterling-Denominated Systemic Stablecoins Under consultation Details Draft Draft: Current Intro Introduced: Pending Committee In committee: Pending Passed Passed: Pending Enacted Enacted: Pending Effective Effective: Pending

Sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins: Policy statement and consultation on draft Code of Practice

Proposed Bank of England framework for sterling payment stablecoins recognized as systemic by HM Treasury. Draft rules cover backing, redemption, capital, safeguarding, remuneration and a temporary £40 billion issuance guardrail.

Last action: Jun 22, 2026 - Policy statement and draft Code published

Next: Sep 22, 2026 - Draft Code consultation closes

Profile Sterling-denominated systemic stablecoins
UK Digital Pound Consultation and Policy Framework CP 797; consultation response CP 970 Proposed Details Draft Draft: Current Intro Introduced: Pending Committee In committee: Pending Passed Passed: Pending Enacted Enacted: Pending Effective Effective: Pending

The digital pound: a new form of money for households and businesses?

UK consultation and design-phase framework for a potential Bank of England retail CBDC. No issuance decision has been made; launch would require further consultation, primary legislation and Parliament’s approval.

Last action: Apr 2, 2026 - Digital Pound Lab phase 1 update

Profile The digital pound consultation paper
FCA Stablecoin Issuance and Cryptoasset Custody Regime FCA CP25/14 Proposed Details Draft Draft: Current Intro Introduced: Pending Committee In committee: Pending Passed Passed: Pending Enacted Enacted: Pending Effective Effective: Pending

CP25/14: Stablecoin issuance and cryptoasset custody

The FCA’s proposed UK rules for qualifying stablecoin issuers and cryptoasset custodians cover backing, redemption, disclosures, trust arrangements, segregation, records and reconciliation. Final rules remain pending as of June 19, 2026.

Last action: Mar 12, 2026 - CP26/4 consultation closes

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Authorisation application window opens

Profile CP25/14 consultation page Milestone source
FCA Prudential Regime for Cryptoasset Firms FCA CP25/15 and CP25/42 Proposed Details Draft Draft: Current Intro Introduced: Pending Committee In committee: Pending Passed Passed: Pending Enacted Enacted: Pending Effective Effective: Pending

A prudential regime for cryptoasset firms

FCA proposals for capital, liquidity, risk assessment and prudential disclosure rules for UK-authorised cryptoasset firms. Consultations are closed; final rules remain pending, with the broader regime expected to start on 25 October 2027.

Last action: Feb 12, 2026 - CP25/42 consultation closed

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Crypto permissions gateway opens

Profile CP25/15: A prudential regime for cryptoasset firms Milestone source
Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026 S.I. 2026/621 Partially effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026

UK regulations amending the 2017 MLRs to refine due diligence, strengthen cryptoasset correspondent and change-in-control rules, update sterling thresholds, expand trust registration, and improve supervisory information sharing. Most provisions start June 30, 2026.

Last action: Jun 10, 2026 - Regulation 1 entered into force

Next: Jun 30, 2026 - Most substantive amendments commence

Profile Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2026
FCA Cryptoasset Business Registration Regime under the UK MLRs SI 2017/692, as amended by SI 2019/1511 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017

UK cryptoasset exchange and custodian wallet providers carrying on business in the UK must register with the FCA before starting in-scope services and meet MLR AML/CTF duties. The regime remains in force during the transition to FSMA authorisation in October 2027.

Last action: Jun 9, 2026 - 2026 MLR amendments made

Next: Jun 30, 2026 - Most SI 2026/621 provisions commence

Profile Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (SI 2017/692) Milestone source
UK Money Laundering Regulations 2017 S.I. 2017/692 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017

UK-wide AML/CFT regulations imposing risk assessment, due diligence, record-keeping and supervisory duties. As amended, they require FCA registration for in-scope crypto firms and a Travel Rule for cryptoasset transfers.

Last action: Jun 9, 2026 - 2026 amendment regulations made

Next: Jun 30, 2026 - Most 2026 amendments commence

Profile S.I. 2017/692: current consolidated text Milestone source
United Kingdom FCA Regulated Cryptoasset Activities Regime S.I. 2026/102; FCA CP25/40 Partially effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026; FCA CP25/40: Regulating cryptoasset activities

UK regime for cryptoasset trading platforms, dealers, arrangers, lending and borrowing services, staking providers and in-scope DeFi. Preparatory powers are live; final FCA rules remain pending before Oct. 25, 2027.

Last action: Jun 3, 2026 - Perimeter consultation closed

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Authorisation application period opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 Milestone source
UK Digital Securities Sandbox Regulations 2023 S.I. 2023/1398 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Digital Securities Sandbox) Regulations 2023

UK regulations establishing the Digital Securities Sandbox, a temporary regime for testing distributed-ledger and other developing technologies in securities trading, settlement, notary and maintenance activities under Bank of England and FCA oversight.

Last action: May 18, 2026 - Authorities reported 16 Gate 1 entrants

Next: Jan 10, 2028 - HM Treasury statutory report date

Profile Digital Securities Sandbox Regulations 2023 — official text Milestone source
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 S.I. 2026/102 Partially effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026

UK instrument bringing specified cryptoasset activities into the FSMA regime through FCA authorisation, disclosure and market-abuse frameworks. Preparatory provisions took effect 26 February 2026; full commencement is scheduled for 25 October 2027.

Last action: May 11, 2026 - FCA pre-application requests opened

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - FCA application period opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 Milestone source

Information is for general purposes only and not legal advice. See full disclaimer.