Numerous jurisdictions across the globe are developing their own cryptoasset regulatory frameworks—the UK is no exception. Cryptoasset businesses overseas looking to enter the UK market, or to offer services to customers in...more
On 8 April 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published their Annual Work Programme, detailing what the FCA intends to deliver in 2025/26—read on for our views on what this means for the digital assets space....more
4/9/2025
/ Asset Management ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptoassets ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
FinTech ,
Popular ,
Regulatory Agenda ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Securities Regulation ,
UK
Key developments of interest over the last month include: a new Bill containing detailed new information and account direct deduction obligations for banks and EMIs being introduced to the UK Parliament; the issuing of a...more
As the evolution of payments continues at a rapid pace it is important that industry participants are up to date on the regulatory developments supporting and guiding these developments. This publication outlines the key...more
What is happening Many of the largest blockchain networks today are subject to a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, such as Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon, which are reliant on users participating in the activity of...more
Digitalisation and the application of key technologies, such as distributed ledger technology (DLT), are reshaping the landscape of global finance. In this report, TheCityUK has collaborated with Hogan Lovells to consider the...more
1/23/2025
/ Blockchain ,
Capital Markets ,
Digital Assets ,
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Markets ,
Financial Services Industry ,
FinTech ,
HM Treasury ,
Innovation ,
Regulatory Reform ,
UK
In our previous Comparative Guide, we explored innovations in private forms of digital money and money-like instruments available to retail customers, including fiatreferencing stablecoins, e-money and tokenised deposits. As...more
On 9 January 2025, the widely anticipated Statutory Instrument exempting cryptoasset staking from the meaning of “collective investment schemes” as defined under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000) was...more
1/13/2025
/ Blockchain ,
Collective Investment Schemes ,
Cryptoassets ,
Digital Assets ,
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) ,
Financial Markets ,
Financial Services Industry ,
Regulatory Reform ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) ,
UK
On 26 November 2024, the FCA published a number of communications relating to its approach to developing the future cryptoassets regime for the UK, including a roadmap for the development and introduction of the UK’s...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer makes her first Mansion House speech and HM Treasury publishes the National Payments Vision, indicating a focus on economic growth...more
From the use of metal coins to the dematerialization of money, the advent of distributed ledger technology (DLT) and tokenisation arguably represents the next stage in the evolution of money and the payments ecosystem. As...more
The BIS Innovation Summit 2024, which took place over 6-8 May 2024, was in turns both an inspiring and surprising event. This article sets out a summary of the key takeaways from the summit....more
On 25 January 2024, the Bank of England and the UK Government (through HM Treasury) published a response to the consultation (the “Consultation Response”) that was launched last year on a UK retail central bank digital...more
On 2 November 2023, the Financial Conduct Authority published its Finalised non-handbook guidance on Cryptoasset Financial Promotions (FG23/3) (the “Guidance”). While the Guidance does not create new regulatory obligations...more
On 30 October 2023, the UK government published an update on its legislative approach for regulating fiat-backed stablecoins, following on from its consultation on the UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets and stablecoins in...more
On 30 October 2023, the UK government published its response to the consultation and call for evidence on the future financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets, whereby HM Treasury has confirmed its final...more
2023 has been a defining year for digital assets and blockchain, with a number of jurisdictions publishing new regulatory frameworks, cementing the importance of digital assets and blockchain into legislation.
As the...more
With increasing levels of capital continuing to flow into digital assets globally, an ever-growing pool of asset holders, and even governments exploring various digital asset projects, the need to examine custody services in...more
The Bank of England and HM Treasury are consulting on the model for a UK retail central bank digital currency (CBDC) or ‘digital pound’ that would sit alongside, not replace, cash. On the basis of their work to date, both the...more
On 1 February 2023, HM Treasury published a long-awaited consultation paper and call for evidence setting out proposals for the UK’s financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The proposals mark the next stage of...more
In a departure from recent proposals to bring certain cryptoassets into the scope of the Financial Promotion Order, the government intends to introduce a bespoke temporary exemption for financial promotions relating to...more
2022 promises to be a defining year for digital assets and blockchain, as governments move from a watch and wait position to delivering regulatory frameworks and taking strides to harness the potential of the technology....more
10/6/2022
/ Anti-Money Laundering ,
Blockchain ,
Cryptocurrency ,
Decentralized Finance (DeFi) ,
Digital Assets ,
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ,
Emerging Markets ,
Ethereum ,
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) ,
Popular ,
Smart Contracts
The European Central Bank (ECB) has just kicked off an “investigation phase” to explore different options for the digital Euro. This phase of detailed consideration for a European version of a Central Bank Digital Currency...more
What has happened?
G20 member countries are looking at an October deadline for reviewing a global anti-money laundering (AML) standard on cryptocurrency....more