Key Highlights
- UK crypto firms can now apply for authorisation under the country’s new crypto rules.
- Firms must apply by February 28, 2027, if they want to continue operating in the UK.
- The new regime will cover stablecoins, trading platforms, crypto transactions, safeguarding, staking and market abuse.
The United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened applications for crypto businesses seeking authorisation under the country’s new crypto rules.
According to the official release, the application window opened today, September 30, 2026, giving firms operating in the UK a chance to prepare before the new regulatory regime takes effect on October 25, 2027.
Crypto firms enter a new regulatory phase
Crypto firms that want to continue operating in the UK should apply for authorisation by February 28, 2027. The FCA said it expects to make decisions on applications submitted during this period before the new rules come into force.
This is expected to give businesses a clear timeline to understand the rules, prepare their applications and make any changes needed to meet the regulator’s requirements.
This marks a major change in how crypto businesses will be regulated in the UK. Until now, the FCA’s crypto oversight has mainly focused on areas such as anti-money laundering and financial promotions. Under the new system, its role will cover a much wider range of crypto activities.
The new rules will cover areas such as issuing certain stablecoins, running cryptoasset trading platforms, dealing in cryptoassets, arranging deals in qualifying cryptoassets, safeguarding customer cryptoassets and arranging cryptoasset staking. The framework will also include rules dealing with market abuse.
FCA expands its reach across crypto
In simple terms, crypto businesses carrying out regulated activities will need to meet the FCA’s standards before they can provide those services in the UK. These standards will cover areas such as protecting consumers, keeping customer assets safe, making sure markets operate properly and ensuring firms have enough financial strength to deal with problems.
Dominic Cashman, the FCA’s director of authorisation, said: “The UK’s new crypto regime will give consumers greater protections and firms a clear framework to operate in. Firms can now apply for authorisation and start preparing for regulation.”
Firms must prove they meet FCA rules
However, submitting an application does not mean a company will automatically receive approval.
Firms will have to show that they meet the FCA’s requirements. Businesses that cannot meet the required standards will not be authorised to operate in the UK market under the new regime.
The rules will also reach beyond companies that were built specifically around crypto. Overseas businesses serving UK customers, e-money issuers and traditional financial companies entering the crypto market may also need to check whether they require FCA authorisation.
Money laundering registration no longer covers all
The FCA has also previously made clear that existing registration is not the same as full authorisation under the new rules.
For example, a crypto business registered under the UK’s Money Laundering Regulations will not automatically become authorised under the new framework. Firms must check their activities and understand which permissions they will need.
Crypto businesses get ready for 2027
The application window opened two weeks after the FCA published guidance on September 16 explaining how the new rules will affect different businesses. The guidance was designed to help firms work out whether their services fall under the new system and what they need to do before applying.
The FCA is also helping businesses get ready through pre-application discussions and webinars. Firms can use these resources to better understand the requirements before submitting their applications.
The wider regulatory regime is scheduled to begin on October 25, 2027. For crypto firms operating in the UK, however, the process starts now, with the February 28, 2027, application deadline giving businesses a clear date to prepare for the changes ahead.
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