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Crypto that could be criminal

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Signature Litigation’s white collar crime experts examine the UK’s impending cryptoassets regulatory regime

  • Explains what businesses and their advisers need to do in run up to 28 February 2027 (end of gateway for access to transitional provisions) and 25 October 2027 when the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 come into force.

More than a decade after the first crypto exchanges began to operate internationally, the UK has established its first comprehensive regulatory regime for cryptoassets. The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 (the regulations) will come into full force on 25 October 2027, creating new regulated cryptoasset activities.

Under this regime, firms carrying on specified cryptoasset activities in or to the UK will be required to obtain authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and comply with a framework of conduct, prudential and market-abuse requirements.

FCA rules & policy statements

On 30 June 2026, the FCA published its final rules and policy statements for cryptoasset firms authorised under the Financial Services and Markets

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