FCA Crypto Authorisation Gateway Opens September 30

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is opening its application gateway for Britain's new crypto regime on September 30. The main application window will be open until February 28, 2027.

This marks a significant change for UK crypto companies, as the incoming regime moves much of the industry into the standard Financial Services and Markets Act structure.

Under this new framework, firms will be assessed as authorised financial businesses rather than merely appearing on a crypto anti-money-laundering register. This means they will need to demonstrate governance, financial resources, operational resilience, controls, and senior-management responsibilities.

The FCA has been offering pre-application support ahead of the gateway opening, but smaller firms may face a harder decision: building the compliance operation needed to become authorised, restructuring their services, or leaving the UK market.