UK Implementation Of UCITS V

The Financial Conduct Authority has released comprehensive perimeter guidance for the UK's new regulated cryptoasset activities regime, clarifying when firms will need authorization and how the regulatory framework applies to qualifying cryptoassets and stablecoins. The guidance addresses critical questions about scope, territorial application, and the narrower "by way of business" test that determines which entities fall under the new regulatory requirements.

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.

The Financial Conduct Authority has released a comprehensive package of regulatory updates and findings covering investment management, wealth management, and consumer protection. Key developments include reforms to MiFID costs and charges disclosures, remuneration code changes, AIFM regime overhauls, and detailed reviews of firms' Consumer Duty compliance, financial crime controls, and governance frameworks.

In July 2017, the FCA published its Enforcement annual performance account for 2016/17.

The London Stock Exchange has implemented sweeping reforms to the AIM Rules, fundamentally reshaping admission requirements, transaction thresholds, and governance obligations for companies on the Alternative Investment Market. These changes eliminate longstanding requirements like working capital statements and corporate governance codes while introducing new features such as capital access windows and special voting shares, marking the most significant overhaul of AIM regulations in recent years.

Cryptoasset firms face a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape as the FCA's authorisation gateway opens on 30 September 2026. With the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2026 laid before Parliament and the FCA's finalised PERG 18 guidance published within 24 hours, firms must navigate significant perimeter changes including new stablecoin payment exclusions.

On 14 July 2026, HM Treasury published its long-awaited consultation on modernising the UK’s payment services and electronic money regulatory framework. The consultation is part of the Government’s National Payments Vision agenda, which aims to ensure that the UK has a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, while preserving choice for consumers and businesses.

The European Parliament has published its negotiating position on SFDR 2.0, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council. With the asset management industry hoping for relief from the complexities of SFDR 1.0, the Parliament's proposals claim to simplify the regime while maintaining credibility of sustainability-related investments.

This weekly bulletin examines critical developments in UK financial regulation, including the FCA's findings on systemic operational resilience from its Defence, Security, and Resilience Lab exercise, the government's comprehensive consultation on modernising corporate reporting frameworks, and progress on the Financial Services and Markets Bill through Parliament. The bulletin also covers international regulatory updates on cyber resilience for financial market infrastructures, sustainable finance disclosu

Challenger banks have achieved a great deal of success since they burst on the scene in a big way a decade or so ago to vie with traditional retail banks for a share of the market.

Western countries are increasingly focussed on the effective implementation of their sanctions regimes.

The criminal trial of three executives accused of fixing prices for water storage tanks has been taking place this week in London.

Dans une économie de plus en plus globale, les Etats sont évidemment en concurrence pour attirer les investissements étrangers.

Issuing e-money and performing a payment service in the UK are both regulated activities which can only be undertaken by firms which are appropriately authorised, registered (as a small provider) or are exempt.

The European Union ("EU") has updated various sanctions regimes, including those against Afghanistan, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo...

The UK Government is investigating 37 businesses for potential violations of Russian oil sanctions, focusing on possible price cap circumvention. No fines or prosecutions have been issued yet.

In December last year, the Court of Appeal determined in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil CBC that there was judicial support for ordering alternative dispute resolution (ADR)...

In 2021, the French drug agency determined that the stocks of hundreds of specific pharmaceutical products must be maintained by pharmaceutical companies at a level equivalent to 4 months of coverage...

Belgium has introduced public Country-by-Country Reporting ("public CbCR") through the law of 8 January 2024 amending the Belgian Code of Companies and Associations...

Article was first published in French in Revue Banque n°815-816, January 2018. French Article: Codes conventions miniers en afrique francophone