The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has unveiled a significant regulatory overhaul for the cryptocurrency market, mandating that all crypto firms obtain full financial licenses to engage with British customers. This landmark clampdown, set to take effect in October 2027, will subject crypto exchanges, custodians, and stakers to a higher level of scrutiny than current anti-money laundering checks.
Under the new framework, even firms already registered with the FCA for money-laundering or payment services will need to reapply for a full license. The FCA aims to provide regulatory certainty while fostering innovation, holding crypto firms to standards similar to other financial providers. The rules also introduce stronger resilience, capital, and stress testing requirements to ensure firms can withstand market shocks. Additionally, a new industry-led framework will target market manipulation, insider trading, and illicit activities.
For retail investors, enhanced protections will be implemented for lending and borrowing activities. Platforms will be required to ensure collateral exceeds borrowed amounts and enforce loss limits, preventing investors from owing exchanges money if a trade fails. Firms will be banned from automatically trading a customer's crypto wallet to support a trade, though investors can still choose to top up their accounts. Stablecoins will also be brought under the new regime, with issuers needing to meet clear standards for their 'money-like instrument' status. The FCA will allow stablecoin firms to hold a five percent surplus of cash within their backing asset pool to manage market swings, and cash reserves must be placed in a statutory trust inaccessible in bankruptcy. Past financial records of stablecoin companies will be made publicly available to increase transparency.
Industry representatives acknowledged the move towards clearer rules, with Etoro UK's Dan Moczulski stating that while clarity can raise standards, regulation must also preserve choice and innovation. Deep Patel of Capco suggested that stablecoins could become a key part of future payment infrastructures, creating opportunities for faster settlement and cross-border payments, and prompting banks to develop tokenized deposit offerings.
