The Financial Conduct Authority launched a public consultation on comprehensive crypto regulations designed to establish clear standards across trading, staking, lending, and decentralized finance while protecting consumers and supporting innovation.
The proposals, published across three consultation papers, seek feedback until February 12, 2026, as Britain positions itself as a global hub for digital assets ahead of the regime’s 2027 implementation.
The regulatory framework applies similar principles to crypto as traditional finance, requiring transparency for consumers, proportionate requirements for firms, and flexibility for innovation.
David Geale, executive director for payments and digital finance at the FCA, said: “Regulation is coming – and we want to get it right. We’ve listened to feedback, and now we’re setting out our proposals for the UK’s crypto regime.“
Comprehensive Framework Covers Eight Core Areas
The consultation addresses admissions and disclosures, requiring firms to provide clear information before investors commit capital to cryptoassets.
Market abuse measures target insider trading and manipulation to ensure fair markets, while trading platform standards aim to keep exchanges safe and reliable.
Intermediary requirements establish responsibilities for brokers and middlemen handling crypto transactions.
Staking services must clearly disclose risks when offering yield-generating products that lock up customer assets.
Lending and borrowing rules protect both crypto lenders and borrowers through standardized safeguards.
The proposals extend to decentralized finance, questioning whether traditional finance rules should apply to protocols enabling trading and lending without intermediaries.
Prudential requirements establish financial safeguards that help firms better manage operational risks.
The framework builds on earlier feedback and new research published alongside the consultation, aligning with government legislation introduced on December 15.
Government Legislation Backs Regulatory Expansion
The Treasury introduced the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2025, bringing new crypto activities under FCA supervision from 2027.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Bringing crypto into the regulatory perimeter is a crucial step in securing the UK’s position as a world-leading financial centre in the digital age.“
Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby also added that “We want the UK to be at the top of the list for cryptoassets firms looking to grow and these new rules will give firms the clarity and consistency they need to plan for the long term.”
The legislation places crypto firms under the same supervision as traditional financial products, including transparency standards.
Britain’s approach follows the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation, while the US is developing its own framework.
The UK established the Transatlantic Taskforce with America to coordinate crypto standards. Around 12% of UK adults now hold cryptocurrency, according to FCA data.
Regulatory Progress Follows Market Development
The consultation caps significant regulatory evolution since Britain formally recognized Bitcoin and crypto assets as legal property under the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill.
The law confirmed digital assets can be owned, inherited, and recovered under property law protections previously limited to traditional assets.
Parliament’s approval resolved legal ambiguity around ownership disputes, stolen funds, and inheritance cases.
CryptoUK called the property law “a massive step forward,” noting it provides a clearer legal footing for proving ownership and recovering tokens after fraud.
In September, the FCA accelerated crypto application reviews, cutting approval times from 17 months to 5 months while raising acceptance rates from 15% to 45%.
BlackRock and Standard Chartered secured registrations since April as the regulator improved processes through pre-approval meetings and industry roundtables.
The Bank of England separately proposed stablecoin regulations last month, with both institutions promising final rules by the end of 2026.
The government also appointed a “digital markets champion” to coordinate the development of blockchain-based financial infrastructure, including tokenized securities and digital gilts, under the DIGIT framework.
Last month, the Treasury also advanced DeFi tax reforms, backing a “no gain, no loss” model deferring capital gains until users withdraw tokens rather than taxing every deposit.
The changes follow two years of consultations with industry participants, including Aave, Binance, and major accounting firms, to align tax events with actual economic outcomes.
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