fca

Consensys

2026-10-09 00:24:47

Consensys, ClearToken partner on 24/7 settlement infrastructure for wholesale finance

Consensys has entered a strategic partnership with ClearToken, a UK-based market infrastructure group focused on digital and traditional assets, to support round-the-clock settlement for wholesale financial markets. According to the announcement cited by BlockBeats on Oct. 9, the two companies aim to help banks move tokenized assets and cash onto infrastructure that can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while meeting requirements around legal certainty, risk controls, and compliance. Under the arrangement, Consensys will provide cryptographic protections designed to make on-chain transaction records tamper-resistant, while ClearToken will work on the legal finality and irrevocability of transfers of funds and assets. The plan also involves ClearToken CSD Limited, which will rely on approval from phase two of the Bank of England’s Digital Securities Sandbox to support the tokenization of eligible securities held by different banks and recognize them as fungible, unified financial instruments. Together with ClearToken Depository Limited, an FCA-authorized payment institution within the group, the partnership is intended to support delivery-versus-payment settlement between securities and cash using fiat currency, tokenized deposits, and stablecoins.

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UK

2026-10-09 10:42:25

UK FCA steps up enforcement against illegal finfluencer promotions

The UK Financial Conduct Authority, or FCA, has intensified enforcement against illegal promotions by finfluencers, according to Techub News. Data cited in the report shows that the regulator’s enforcement actions in this area rose by 7300% between 2023 and 2025. The update points to a much tougher stance on unlawful financial promotion activity involving online influencers. No further details were provided in the brief on the specific cases, measures, or entities involved, but the reported increase highlights a sharp escalation in regulatory action over the two-year period.

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FCA

2026-10-02 10:02:42

FCA survey finds higher satisfaction and trust among firms

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Practitioner Panel said their latest annual survey showed stronger satisfaction, confidence, and trust among regulated firms. According to the results, 79% of respondents said they were highly satisfied with their relationship with the FCA, up from 74% a year earlier, while 75% said they had a high level of trust in the regulator. Firms’ confidence in the FCA’s work on consumer protection and maintaining well-functioning markets remained above 85%. FCA Chief Executive Nikhil Rathi said it was encouraging to see confidence rise one year after the regulator’s strategy was put into effect, though he added that more work remained. Practitioner Panel Chair Matt Hammerstein said the findings pointed to broadly positive views of the FCA and a sharp increase in confidence in its ability to deliver on secondary objectives such as growth and competitiveness. The survey also highlighted areas where firms want more progress, including regulatory burden. The FCA said it had simplified reporting by removing outdated or duplicate data returns for 90% of firms and has continued work on reforms including compensation framework changes, buy now, pay later regulation, and a new cryptoasset regime.

250

UK

2026-10-01 05:36:51

UK broker ITI Capital enters special administration after halting most regulated activity

ITI Capital Ltd, a brokerage firm authorized and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, entered special administration on Sept. 25, according to Techub News. Duncan Perring and David Soden of Teneo Financial Advisory Ltd were appointed as special administrators. ITI Capital is a brokerage that helps clients invest in stocks and bonds and manage their assets, and its business had previously included cryptocurrency investment. The company had already agreed on Aug. 10, 2025, to stop most regulated activities and to stop accepting any new client money or custody assets. The update ties a regulated UK broker with past crypto-related investment activity to a formal insolvency-style process under special administration.

250

UK

2026-09-30 20:14:02

UK Opens FCA Authorization Process for Crypto Firms Under Full Regulatory Regime

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority has opened applications for crypto firms seeking authorization, marking the first time the sector is being brought under a full domestic regulatory regime. The watchdog said the move is intended to give the industry greater clarity and legitimacy as the country works on a broader crypto bill. The FCA finalized its cryptoasset framework in June, with the new regime scheduled to take effect in October 2027. According to the regulator, firms will need to show they meet standards tied to consumer protection, safeguarding customer assets, market integrity, and financial resilience. The announcement comes as Britain continues a broader digital asset law reform effort that gained momentum after bitcoin and other digital assets were recognized as property last year, following a 2023 recommendation from the Law Commission. Even so, the UK still trails the European Union and the United States in implementing digital asset rules. The EU’s MiCA framework has applied to service providers since December 30, 2024, while U.S. President Donald Trump signed the GENIUS Act into law in July 2025.

270

UK

2026-09-30 15:48:09

UK FCA Opens Crypto Authorization Applications, Sets Feb. 28, 2027 Deadline for Existing Firms

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has opened authorization applications for crypto firms, starting the process of bringing the sector under a full FCA regime. Existing firms that want to keep operating in the UK need to apply by Feb. 28, 2027, with the new framework set to take effect on Oct. 25, 2027. The regulator said firms that file on time can continue offering crypto services and take on new business while their applications are being reviewed, provided no decision has been reached by the start date. The FCA said authorization will not be automatic and that applicants will be assessed on consumer protection, safeguarding customer assets, market integrity, and financial resilience. The move follows the publication of the FCA’s final crypto rules in June and further guidance issued on Sept. 16, which clarified the activities that will require approval, including issuing qualifying stablecoins, operating trading platforms, safeguarding crypto, and arranging staking. A day earlier, HM Treasury also published draft amendments covering payment use cases for UK-issued qualifying stablecoins and some firms that only provide interfaces to decentralized protocols.

290

UK

2026-09-30 13:10:24

UK FCA formally launches crypto asset authorization regime

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has formally launched a crypto asset authorization regime, creating an official regulatory framework for crypto businesses operating in the country. According to the FCA, the regime is designed to give market participants a clear compliance path while protecting consumers and preserving market integrity. Companies covered by the framework will be required to meet a range of standards, including anti-money laundering controls and safeguards for client assets. The move marks a new stage in the UK’s approach to crypto regulation, shifting from broader oversight efforts to a more formal authorization structure for firms active in the sector.

340

UK

2026-09-30 09:22:12

UK FCA opens authorization applications for crypto firms ahead of 2027 regime

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has opened the application process for crypto firms seeking regulatory authorization from Sept. 30, marking the first time the country’s crypto sector will be brought fully under FCA supervision. The regulator said the standards will cover consumer protection, safeguarding client assets, market integrity, and financial resilience. Firms that plan to keep operating in the UK are expected to submit their applications by Feb. 28, 2027. The new regulatory regime is scheduled to take effect on Oct. 25, 2027. The FCA also made clear that authorization will not be granted automatically, and applicants must show that they meet the regulator’s requirements.

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