The UK’s crypto industry is entering a new regulatory phase as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) prepares to open its authorization gateway on September 30, 2026.
The regulator has released final guidance to give crypto businesses a clearer understanding of which activities will require authorization under the country’s upcoming regulatory framework.
The FCA’s new policy statement, PS26/18, explains how the rules will apply to a range of crypto-related activities. These include qualifying stablecoin issuance, cryptoasset trading platforms, dealing and arranging, custody services, and cryptoasset staking.
The guidance is designed to help firms identify whether their activities fall within the FCA’s regulatory perimeter before they begin the application process.
It follows the FCA’s final crypto rules published in June and provides additional detail for businesses preparing the new framework.
David Geale, executive director of consumers, payments and competition at the FCA, said, “We are building a crypto regime that firms, consumers and international partners can trust.”
He also stressed that firms should understand how the new regime applies to their businesses before preparing their applications
Existing Crypto Businesses Face New Requirements
The new framework will also affect crypto firms that are already operating in the UK. Businesses currently registered under the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) rules will not automatically receive FCA authorization under the new system.
Instead, firms whose activities fall within the new regulated framework will need to submit a fresh application. This creates a separate authorization requirement beyond the existing AML registration process.
The FCA is also introducing wider financial and operational safeguards for regulated crypto businesses.
These include Consumer Duty, governance standards, safeguarding requirements, operational resilience rules, and the Senior Managers and Certification Regime.
As a result, firms preparing for the new regime will need to review more than their registration status.
They will also need to consider how their business operations, governance structures, customer protections, and risk controls meet the FCA’s requirements.
Applications Open September 30, 2026
The FCA’s authorization gateway is scheduled to open on September 30, 2026. However, this date is the start of the application process rather than the final deadline.
Firms that want to make use of the transitional arrangements must submit their applications by February 28, 2027.
The FCA is also offering pre-application support to businesses that need help understanding how the rules apply to their activities.
The full cryptoasset regulatory regime is scheduled to come into force on October 25, 2027. From that date, firms conducting regulated crypto activities in the UK will generally need FCA authorization unless a relevant exemption or transitional provision applies.
The FCA also plans to consult on targeted changes in October 2026 following recent government amendments to the legislation. For now, firms are being encouraged to use PS26/18 to assess their regulatory position and prepare for the upcoming authorization process.
