On 30 June 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority published five policy statements: PS26/9, PS26/10, PS26/11, PS26/12, and PS26/13. These are final rules, not proposals. The regime will take legal effect on 25 October 2027. From that date, FCA authorisation becomes mandatory for all firms conducting regulated cryptoasset activities in the United Kingdom. The FCA will open its authorisation gateway in September 2026, giving firms a window to apply before the go-live date.
The regime operates under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026, passed by Parliament on 4 February 2026. That instrument brought a broad range of cryptoasset activities within the FSMA 2000 regulatory perimeter for the first time. PS26/9 sets the admissions and disclosures rules and the market abuse regime for cryptoassets. It governs how qualifying cryptoassets are admitted to trading on UK qualified cryptoasset trading platforms. PS26/11 covers the conduct requirements for regulated cryptoasset activities. The FCA's guiding principle is same risk, same regulatory outcome.
Cryptoasset trading platforms, intermediaries, custodians, stablecoin issuers, and staking providers must each obtain FCA permission by 25 October 2027. After that date, conducting a regulated cryptoasset activity without authorisation is a criminal offence under FSMA 2000. Firms currently on the Temporary Registration Regime must apply for full permission during the September 2026 gateway window.
The FCA published a separate guidance consultation, GC26/5, alongside the policy statements. A further consultation paper, CP26/13, addresses cryptoasset perimeter guidance specifically. Both remain open for comment. The September 2026 authorisation gateway is the primary near-term deadline for firms planning to operate under the regime.
Licentium advises digital asset businesses on UK and cross-border regulatory compliance. Our team and partner network are available to assist with the FCA authorisation process and related obligations. Work we undertake includes FCA authorisation applications, FSMA compliance analysis for cryptoasset firms, stablecoin regulatory advisory, cryptoasset custody and trading platform licensing, and MiCA-to-UK equivalence assessments.
Source: Financial Conduct Authority, Overview of Cryptoassets Regime Policy Statements, 30 June 2026