Following the publication by HM Treasury of the draft legislation establishing a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK, on 28 May 2025 the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Consultation...more
In a previous alert, we identified that the definition of a collective investment scheme (CIS) could capture on-chain staking, and that the UK government, acting through the HM Treasury (HMT), was looking to clarify the...more
HM Treasury has published a speech given on November 21, 2024, by Tulip Siddiq, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, on the U.K. government's approach to tokenisation and regulation. In the speech, Ms. Siddiq confirms that HM...more
The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Mansion House speech on 14 November 2024 and the National Payments Vision—published on the same day—set out key policy initiatives regarding the future of the UK financial services sector....more
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a discussion paper regarding potential future proposals for regulating fiat-backed stablecoins, including when used as a means of payment. The FCA's paper follows the...more
As mentioned in HM Treasury’s October 2023 policy update on plans for regulating stablecoins, the Bank of England (Bank) has published a discussion paper providing more details on its proposed regulatory regime for systemic...more
On 30 October 2023, the HM Treasury (HMT) published its much-anticipated response (Consultation Response) to its March 2023 consultation paper (Consultation) on the UK’s future financial services regime for cryptoassets....more
The Response and Stablecoins Update confirm the core of HMT’s policy proposals in the General Consultation and Stablecoin Consultation, respectively, although they shine further light on the features of the regulatory regime....more
HM Treasury has published a response to its consultation on cryptoasset regulation, setting out its final proposals for the U.K.'s cryptoasset regulatory regime. The U.K. plans to make cryptoassets a new category of...more
On October 30, the HM Treasury of the UK Government released a report titled “Future Financial Services Regulatory Regime for Cryptoassets,” confirming its plans to regulate digital assets more strictly. The regulatory...more
UK Financial Insights from Katten is a monthly newsletter highlighting key noteworthy developments potentially affecting financial markets and funds in the UK and Europe....more
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a statement (Statement) on its expectations for UK cryptoasset businesses (CBs) complying with the Travel Rule (as defined below). From 1 September 2023, CBs will be...more
Daniel Davis Shares Views on Digital Asset Regulation During House Subcommittee Hearing - In testimony before the US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, Daniel...more
On 27 March 2023, the UK’s HM Treasury published draft legislation – The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023 (the Order). The Order will extend the ‘financial promotion’...more
Following on from HM Treasury’s consultation and call for evidence on the regulation of cryptoassets and an updated policy approach in relation to financial promotions, a draft version of the Financial Services and Markets...more
The U.K. government has published its much-anticipated proposals for regulating the cryptoasset industry. These proposals, currently in the form of a consultation, will see many (but not all) cryptoasset-related activities...more
2023 is here and ESG developments have continued apace throughout January with ESG remaining squarely on the financial services regulatory agenda in the UK and internationally. In this edition, we share the latest key focal...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
Innovate Finance and Shearman & Sterling has submitted a comprehensive evidence paper to the House of Commons Treasury Committee inquiry into crypto-assets. Analysis produced by Innovate Finance specially for the...more
HM Treasury has launched an inquiry into the role of crypto-assets in the U.K. and their regulatory framework. The inquiry poses questions on a range of subjects, including the likelihood of digital currencies (e.g.,...more
The EU and the UK are developing significant changes to their regulatory frameworks to reflect the growing importance of the cryptoasset sector in Europe. We discuss a major EU development—the proposed Markets in Cryptoassets...more
Following the Queen's speech yesterday, the government has published a briefing pack setting out details of the bills that it intends to introduce, including the so-called Brexit Freedoms Bill as well as key legislation...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: HM Treasury announces package of crypto measures including next steps on UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets, stablecoins and DLT in financial markets; Philippines...more
Crypto Payment Initiatives Announced in Stablecoins, Lightning Network, Mining - Late last week, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC) announced that it had selected a major U.S. bank as a primary custodian for USDC reserves....more