VASP Tracker › United Kingdom
United Kingdom Crypto Licensing: FCA Cryptoasset Regime
Upcoming Next deadline: 28 Feb 2027 (application deadline)
- Regulator
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Legal basis
- FSMA 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 (SI 2026/102)
legislation.gov.uk · SI 2026/102
FCA · Direction on the application period - Official register
- FCA Financial Services Register · Format: HTML + API
What Is Changing
The UK is moving crypto firms from anti-money-laundering registration to full FCA authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act. The Cryptoassets Regulations 2026 take full effect on 25 October 2027.
The FCA's application window runs from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027. The FCA says authorisation is not automatic. It expects to decide applications made in the window before the regime starts, and it will not expedite late applications.
Timeline
- applications open
The FCA application window opens at 9:00. Firms apply for authorisation, or for a variation of permission, through FCA Connect.
Sources: FCA · Direction under reg. 52 official · FCA · Press release, 30 Sep 2026 official
- application deadline
The application window closes at 23:59. Existing firms that apply within the window can keep operating while their application is assessed, if no decision has been made before the regime starts.
Sources: FCA · Press release, 30 Sep 2026 official · FCA · How the gateway will operate official
- regime starts
Full commencement: cryptoasset activities become FCA-regulated activities and require authorisation.
Sources: SI 2026/102, reg. 1 official
A company-level tracker for United Kingdom is in preparation. This page covers the rules and dates only. CSV
Cite This
VASP Tracker, “United Kingdom crypto licensing: FCA cryptoasset regime”, https://vasptracker.com/en/uk/ (21 Oct 2026), CC BY 4.0.