UK Cryptoassets Regulation – Preparing For 2026

The UK government has laid the final regulations in parliament to bring core cryptoasset activities within the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) perimeter. This will see the creation of new regulated activities for cryptoassets, such as operating a cryptoasset trading platform and issuing stablecoins, as well as admissions and disclosures, and market abuse regimes.

The rules will come into force from 2027, aiming to give firms legal clarity over the sector's regulatory position and to boost consumer confidence by making sure that consumers are robustly protected. The changes mean that firms will need to be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the same way as other providers of financial products – including being subject to established transparency standards.