News
The parliamentary inquiry comes as regulators warn that stablecoins could drain bank deposits and reshape payments.
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United Kingdom News
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) serves as the primary financial regulatory body in the United Kingdom. While the FCA ensures that crypto asset firms adhere to effective Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing procedures, crypto assets themselves generally remain unregulated. Notably, security tokens, possessing characteristics similar to specified investments such as shares or debt instruments, are the sole FCA-regulated crypto assets.
In the U.K., cryptocurrency taxation is outlined in His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs “Cryptoassets Manual.” Cryptocurrencies are categorized into exchange tokens (used for payment), security tokens (representing interests in businesses), utility tokens (providing access to services) and stablecoins (pegged to fiat money).
Individuals holding crypto assets are taxed on profits, including from airdrops, mining and salary payments. Capital gains tax applies, with a £12,570 tax-free allowance for 2023. Gains exceeding this limit are taxed at 20% to 40%, rising to 45% for higher incomes. Unlike the United States, the U.K. lacks separate short-term and long-term capital gains tax rates, with taxation determined by one’s income tax band, emphasizing the importance of understanding specific transaction types and applicable tax regulations.
A significant development occurred on June 8, 2023, when the FCA published a policy statement (PS23/6), expanding its oversight to include crypto asset promotions. This marked the first time crypto asset promotions fell under the FCA’s regulatory purview, indicating an important step in regulating the U.K. crypto industry.
- News
Coinbase’s musical ad depicting a run-down UK, which was already blacklisted from TV, has reportedly seen a wider ban by the country’s ad watchdog for being “irresponsible.”
2039 - Analysis
The UK is bringing its multi-year rulemaking process for crypto to a close and, in doing so, may surpass the US, which is currently bogged down trying to resolve the CLARITY Act.
1665 - News
The rollout comes as UK regulators reopen the retail market to crypto-related products and global issuers expand regulated offerings.
2508 - News
A new UK Cryptoasset Business Council report found that almost all major banks are imposing blanket limits or blocks on transfers to crypto exchanges, effectively debanking crypto users.
4412 - News
The UK is weighing an Australia‑style ban on social media for under‑16s, as regulators ramp up enforcement of the Online Safety Act.
3761 - News
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer scrapped plans to make digital ID mandatory for workers after a backlash over “Orwellian” surveillance fears.
3240 - News
The 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP allocates two-thirds to gold and one-third to Bitcoin and trades in pounds sterling and dollars on the London Stock Exchange.
3020 - News
The chairs of seven UK government committees have asked for a ban on crypto donations to be added to an elections bill set to be introduced soon.
2844 - News
Ripple’s UK subsidiary gained regulatory approval as an Electronic Money Institution to provide payment services, but faces limits on certain crypto activities.
6969 - News
UK crypto businesses must secure FCA authorization well before the crypto regime starts in October 2027 or face transitional restrictions on new services.
3831 - Opinion
Innovation thrives only when blockchain and crypto remain apolitical, compliant and interoperable, ensuring technology serves trust, not political agendas.
3000 - News
Barclays has invested in Ubyx, a US stablecoin clearing platform, marking a major move into regulated digital money and tokenized financial services.
4110 - News
Crypto regulations are changing around the world in 2026, as several jurisdictions adopt crypto and stablecoin policy frameworks.
4694 - News
CARF data collection starts Jan. 1, 2026, in 48 jurisdictions, including the UK and EU, pushing crypto platforms to gather tax residency details and report transactions.
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