FCA Opens Doors for Crypto Firms Seeking Full Regulation in UK Market
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has started accepting applications from cryptocurrency firms seeking to operate under its full regulation. The regulator announced this move in a press release on September 30, 2026, indicating that it will begin evaluating these applications ahead of the new crypto framework's implementation next year.
Crypto companies must submit their applications by February 28, 2027, before the new regulatory framework takes effect on October 25, 2027. The FCA published its final guidelines and rules for the crypto sector in June this year, aiming to create a clear framework for consumer protection, market integrity, and financial resilience.
The regulator expects to make decisions on these applications before the new framework's implementation date. If it does not, existing firms that applied within the given timeframe will be allowed to continue providing crypto services while their application is being processed. However, companies that fail to meet the necessary standards will not be authorized to operate in the UK market.