UK sets crypto authorisation rules for an October 2027 start

The UK Financial Conduct Authority published its final crypto rules on 30 June, setting requirements for trading platforms, intermediaries, custodians, stablecoin issuers and firms arranging staking. The package includes financial resilience measures such as capital and stress testing, market-integrity rules addressing insider trading and manipulation, and specific standards for stablecoins. Following consultation, the FCA said it simplified some capital requirements for stablecoin firms and adjusted trading rules to reflect crypto markets.

Applications are scheduled to open on 30 September 2026 and close on 28 February 2027. The mandatory regime takes effect on 25 October 2027, so the June publication does not mean every firm must already hold this authorisation. Until then, the FCA said its crypto oversight remains limited to financial promotions and anti-money-laundering controls. The timetable gives firms a defined preparation window while preserving the distinction between final rules and rules already in force.