FCA Opens Crypto Licensing Gateway for UK Firms

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is opening its crypto licensing gateway on September 30, 2026, giving firms five months to apply for full licensing before a new regime takes effect on October 25, 2027.

The gateway replaces the UK's registration-only model with authorisation standards that mirror traditional financial services. Firms that do not file during this window will be barred from taking on new UK customers once the regime begins.

Crypto firms have been supervised through anti-money laundering registration since 2020, but the new rules require them to hold Part 4A permission to conduct cryptoasset activities, similar to fund managers and electronic money issuers.