FCA sets landmark crypto rules

10 Jul 2026

Firms supporting people to buy, trade and hold crypto will need to meet new standards under landmark rules set out by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

All firms must meet financial resilience requirements including capital and stress testing. The FCA is also introducing new market integrity rules. These cover areas such as insider trading and market manipulation.

The new framework also sets out specific rules for stablecoins, a type of cryptoasset designed to maintain a stable value, typically by being linked to a currency such as the pound. The regulator says stablecoins will be subject to clear, strong and transparent standards, helping to build trust in how they are used over time.

The FCA says it drew upon international best practice, applying established financial services standards where risks are comparable, including the Consumer Duty.

David Geale, Executive Director of Payments and Digital Finance at the FCA, said: 'This is a significant moment for crypto regulation in the UK. We've created a framework that doesn't force firms to choose between regulatory certainty and room to innovate – this regime means they can have both in a stable, competitive home to build and grow. For consumers, it means firms will be held to similar standards to other financial providers, though we can't regulate away risk.'