The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has opened applications for crypto companies to become authorized under a new regulatory framework, bringing the sector under full regulation for the first time.
The FCA finalized its regulatory framework for cryptoassets in June 2026. Applications are now open, with the new regime scheduled to take effect in October 2027.
“The UK’s new crypto regime will give consumers greater protections and firms a clear framework to operate in. Firms can now apply for authorisation and start preparing for regulation,” said Dominic Cashman, director of authorisation at the FCA.
Requirements and Framework
Firms seeking authorization must demonstrate they meet requirements covering consumer protection, customer-asset safeguarding, market integrity, and financial resilience. The framework emerged from a 2023 recommendation by the Law Commission, which argued that digital assets did not fit neatly into existing legal categories.
The UK recognized bitcoin and other digital assets as property last year, establishing the legal foundation for the new regime. The FCA’s authorization framework now provides the operational structure for firms operating in the sector.
International Context
The UK’s move follows regulatory action in other major jurisdictions. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation has applied to service providers since December 30, 2024. In the United States, President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law in July 2025, establishing a federal framework for dollar-backed tokens.
