UK Pushes Regulatory Overhaul to Become Crypto Hub
The UK is accelerating efforts to cement itself as a global hub for digital assets in 2026. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has appointed new leadership to drive a tougher regulatory agenda, aiming to reduce uncertainty for institutional players. As part of this push, the FCA has also issued new guidance clarifying the rules for issuing tokenized shares.
The regulatory overhaul is underpinned by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026, which were approved by Parliament on February 4, 2026. This legislation brings cryptoasset activities under the same comprehensive framework as traditional financial services, guided by the principle of "same risk, same regulatory outcome." A concrete timeline is in place for firms to achieve compliance. The application window for crypto companies to seek full authorization from the Financial Conduct Authority will open on September 30, 2026, and close on February 28, 2027. The complete regulatory regime is scheduled to be fully in force by October 2027. In a parallel move to increase tax transparency, the UK will implement the OECD's Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) starting in 2026. This will mandate that all UK-based crypto asset service providers report every customer transaction to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to clamp down on tax evasion. This entire strategy represents a distinct post-Brexit path, diverging from the European Union
