Policy Reference

UK Crypto Regulation

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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Topic
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Law database

23 law profiles

Law / Bill
Draft Intro Committee Passed Enacted Effective
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
United Kingdom FCA Stablecoin Issuance and Cryptoasset Custody Regime SI 2026/102; FCA CP25/14 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 and FCA CP25/14: Stablecoin issuance and cryptoasset custody

UK regime bringing fiat-referenced stablecoin issuance and cryptoasset custody into FCA regulation under FSMA. SI 2026/102 is made; FCA final rules remain pending ahead of expected Oct. 25, 2027 commencement.

Last action: Apr 21, 2026 - Treasury amendment draft published

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Application gateway opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 Milestone source
United Kingdom FCA Market Abuse Regime for Cryptoassets SI 2026/102; FSMA 2000 Cryptoassets Regulations 2026 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, Part 2 Chapter 2: Market abuse in qualifying cryptoassets and related instruments

UK regime designating cryptoasset insider dealing, unlawful disclosure and market manipulation as market-abuse activities, with FCA rulemaking and enforcement powers. Preparatory provisions are in force; full commencement is set for Oct. 25, 2027.

Last action: Apr 15, 2026 - Perimeter guidance consultation

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Authorisations gateway opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 Milestone source
UK Reporting Cryptoasset Service Providers Regulations 2025 S.I. 2025/744 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

The Reporting Cryptoasset Service Providers (Due Diligence and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2025

UK CARF rules requiring reporting cryptoasset service providers to collect user and transaction data, report to HMRC, register, notify users, keep records, and face penalties for non-compliance.

Last action: Mar 18, 2026 - Finance Act 2026 amendment

Next: Jan 31, 2027 - Registration and user notices

Profile S.I. 2025/744 official legislation text Milestone source
FCA Cryptoasset Admissions and Disclosures Regime SI 2026/102, Part 2, Chapter 1 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 — Part 2, Chapter 1: Qualifying cryptoasset public offers and admissions to trading

UK rules for public offers and admission of qualifying cryptoassets to authorised trading platforms, including disclosure documents, exemptions and compensation. Preparatory provisions are in force; full commencement is scheduled for Oct. 25, 2027.

Last action: Feb 26, 2026 - Preparatory provisions took effect

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Authorisation application window opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 Milestone source
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023 S.I. 2023/612 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 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023

UK statutory instrument bringing promotions of qualifying cryptoassets within the FSMA financial promotion perimeter and extending FCA powers. Most provisions took effect on 7 October 2023; related FCA conduct rules applied from 8 October 2023.

Last action: Feb 4, 2026 - Future-regime legislation made

Next: Oct 25, 2027 - Full commencement of 2026 cryptoasset regime

Profile S.I. 2023/612 — statutory instrument Milestone source
Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 2023 c. 29 (UKPGA) Partially effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

An Act to make provision about the regulation of financial services and markets; and for connected purposes.

UK statute that updates the FSMA 2000 framework, creates powers for cryptoasset regulation, supports stablecoin/payment-system oversight, and enables financial market infrastructure sandboxes. In force in stages.

Last action: Feb 4, 2026 - Cryptoassets Regulations 2026 made

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - FCA application period opens

Profile Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 Milestone source
UK Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 HL Bill 31; Bill 237 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

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Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025

UK Act confirming that a thing, including a digital or electronic thing, is not excluded from personal property rights merely because it is neither a thing in possession nor a thing in action.

Last action: Dec 2, 2025 - Royal Assent notified; Act passed and came into force on the same day.

Profile Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 PDF
Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (Digital Securities Sandbox) (Amendment) Regulations 2025 UKSI 2025/93 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) (Amendment) Regulations 2025

UK regulations effective 3 March 2025 that amend the Digital Securities Sandbox, temporarily modify cryptoasset-specific Money Laundering Regulations treatment, and adjust supervision, whistleblowing and FSMA permissions.

Last action: Mar 3, 2025 - Amendments entered into force

Next: Jan 8, 2029 - Scheduled end of underlying DSS regulations

Profile Digital Securities Sandbox Amendment Regulations 2025 Milestone source
FCA Finalised Guidance on Cryptoasset Financial Promotions (FG23/3) FG23/3 Effective Details Draft Draft: Completed Intro Introduced: Completed Committee In committee: Completed Passed Passed: Completed Enacted Enacted: Completed Effective Effective: Current

FG23/3: Finalised non-handbook Guidance on cryptoasset financial promotions

FCA non-Handbook guidance explaining how firms should approach fair, clear and not misleading promotions for qualifying cryptoassets, including due diligence, stablecoin and yield claims, ownership disclosures, social media and statements about regulatory status.

Last action: Mar 26, 2024 - FG24/1 social-media guidance published

Next: Sep 30, 2026 - Broader crypto regime application period opens

Profile FG23/3 publication page Milestone source

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