Regulation
FCA Cuts Stablecoin Backing Rule to 1%: What Changed and Why (2026)
After industry pushback, the FCA halved its stablecoin capital requirement from 2% to 1% of issued value in its finalised 2026 rules. Here's what that number actually means, why it was cut, and whether it makes UK stablecoins safer or riskier for you.
Can You Take Crypto Complaints to the Financial Ombudsman? What's Changing (2026)
Under the FCA's new crypto regime, UK retail customers will get access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for crypto complaints for the first time. Here's what that means, when it starts, and what it won't cover — because it's not the safety net some think.
The FCA's Five Crypto Policy Statements: What They Mean for UK Investors (2026)
On 30 June 2026 the FCA published five landmark Policy Statements (PS26/9–13) finalising the UK's crypto rulebook. Here's what each one covers, when the rules bite, and what the new regime actually means for ordinary British crypto users.
The UK Crypto Travel Rule Explained: Why Your Transfers Ask for Extra Details
The Travel Rule requires UK crypto firms to collect and share sender and recipient details on transfers, which is why your exchange now asks who a withdrawal is going to. Here's what it means, what data is shared, and how it affects your self-custody wallet.
Crypto Recovery Scams: The Second Con UK Victims Keep Falling For
A crypto recovery scam targets people who've already been defrauded, promising to get their money back for an upfront fee. No legitimate firm guarantees recovery or asks for payment in crypto. Here's how to spot the second con and where to actually report.
Is Cryptocurrency Legal in the UK? What the Rules Actually Say in 2026
Yes — buying, holding and trading crypto is completely legal in the UK in 2026. It isn't legal tender, it's regulated for money-laundering and promotions, and a full FCA regime arrives in October 2027. Here's exactly where the law stands.
The FCA's 24-Hour Rule: When Holding Client Crypto Makes You a Regulated Custodian
A quiet line in the FCA's new crypto rulebook could catch out wallets, payment apps and exchanges: hold a customer's crypto for more than 24 hours, or be able to move it without them, and you're a regulated custodian needing a full safeguarding licence.
Pig Butchering Scams: The Slow Crypto Con Fleecing UK Victims in 2026
A pig butchering scam builds a fake friendship or romance over weeks, then lures you into a bogus crypto investment that looks profitable — until you try to withdraw. It's the fastest-growing crypto fraud hitting UK victims. Here's how it works and how to spot it.
The US GENIUS Act and UK Crypto Holders: What Actually Changes for You
America's GENIUS Act made stablecoins legal money in the US — and its effects ripple straight into the UK. Here's what the law does, why it matters for British crypto users, and how it contrasts with the UK's far more cautious approach.
The UK's £40 Billion Stablecoin Cap: Why Britain Is Limiting Its Own Digital Money
The UK is the only major economy putting a hard ceiling on how many sterling stablecoins can exist — a £40 billion issuance cap per systemic token. Here's why the Bank of England wants it, and what it means for anyone holding GBP stablecoins.
Crypto in Divorce: How UK Courts Find and Split Digital Assets
Crypto must be disclosed in UK divorce proceedings like any other asset — and courts can freeze it, order exchanges to reveal it, and punish spouses who hide it. How digital assets are found, valued and divided.
Scammed Out of Crypto? When UK Banks Must Refund You
UK banks must refund APP fraud victims up to £85,000 — but many crypto scam losses fall outside the rules. Where the line sits, what's actually recoverable, and the steps to take in the first 48 hours.
FCA Plans to Let UK Investment Funds Hold 10% in Crypto ETNs
The FCA has proposed letting authorised UK investment funds put up to 10% of their assets into crypto ETNs, with the consultation open until 13 July 2026. Here's what the change could mean for ordinary investors.
FCA Crypto Authorisation: What Changes From 30 September 2026
Crypto firms can apply for full FCA authorisation from 30 September 2026, ahead of the new regime going live on 25 October 2027. Here's the timeline, the 24-hour custody rule, and what UK users should expect.
Bank of England and FCA Open Joint Call for Input on Wholesale Tokenisation
The Bank of England and FCA have published a shared regulatory vision for tokenised UK wholesale markets, opening a 12-week consultation on sterling settlement, DLT platforms and supervisory boundaries.
HMRC to Require UK Crypto Firms to Report Every Customer Transaction From January
HMRC has confirmed UK exchanges and custodians must report every customer transaction from January 2027 under the OECD Cryptoasset Reporting Framework, with sterling-denominated annual returns.
On-Chain Analytics and UK Law Enforcement: A Privacy Tightrope
UK police use Chainalysis and Elliptic to trace crypto funds — but at what cost to financial privacy? We examine on-chain analytics, deanonymisation risk, and what it means for law-abiding British users.
A Builder's Guide to the UK Crypto Sandboxes
The FCA Digital Sandbox and Bank of England's Digital Securities Sandbox offer UK crypto firms a supervised fast-track to market. This builder's guide explains how to apply and what each programme offers.
The DAO Legal Puzzle: A Challenge for UK Law
UK law has no clear framework for DAOs, leaving members potentially personally liable. We explore the Law Commission’s findings and what legal status options exist for crypto DAOs in Britain.
The Crown Dependencies' Crypto Edge: A Regulatory Race
Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are racing to become world-class crypto hubs, using regulatory agility to attract blockchain firms that London's FCA framework cannot easily match.
MiCA's Impact on the UK Crypto Scene: The Ripple Effect from Brussels
The EU's MiCA regulation reshapes crypto compliance across Europe — and its effects reach UK firms too. We explain what MiCA means for British exchanges, stablecoin issuers, and investors post-Brexit.
UK Stablecoin Regulation: A Deep Dive into the New Framework
The UK's new stablecoin regime divides oversight between the FCA and Bank of England. We break down what issuers, exchanges, and consumers need to know about the incoming regulatory framework.
A UK Guide to Identifying and Avoiding Crypto Scams
UK crypto scams cost investors millions each year. This FCA-aligned guide covers phishing, rug pulls, fake celebrity endorsements, and recovery fraud — and how to protect yourself in 2025.
The Digital Pound vs. Sterling Stablecoins: A Policy Showdown
The UK must choose between a Bank of England digital pound (CBDC) and privately issued stablecoins. We break down the policy differences, risks, and what each means for British consumers and businesses.
Also worth reading
Bitcoin Stuck Near $60,000 Ahead of the Fed: What UK Investors Are Watching (July 2026)
Bitcoin spent late July 2026 stuck in a nervous range near $60,000, with traders waiting on the Federal Reserve. Here's why the price stalled, the levels analysts are watching, and how UK investors should think about it — without pretending anyone can predict it.
Is Ethereum Becoming the 'Settlement Layer for the AI Economy'? (2026)
A growing view holds that Ethereum could become the 'settlement layer for the AI economy' — the trust rails where AI agents transact. Here's what that idea actually means, why institutions are paying attention in 2026, and how much is substance versus hype.
Long-Term vs Short-Term Crypto Investing: Which Suits You? (UK, 2026)
Long-term 'HODLing' means holding crypto for years through the swings; short-term trading means buying and selling for quick gains. Most people who try trading lose to those who simply hold. Here's an honest comparison for UK investors — including the tax gap.