Crypto assets

On 26 November 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a new webpage on cryptoasset financial promotions and fiat-to-crypto on/off ramp services, which reminds firms that they should carefully consider the risks of partnering with unregistered cryptoasset firms that may be illegally promoting to UK consumers.

The FCA notes that, following engagement

On 26 November 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a press release, blog and roadmap providing an update on its plans for regulating cryptoassets.

Increasing use of cryptoassets

In the press release, the FCA notes that, according to its latest research on consumer attitudes and behaviours towards cryptoassets, ownership is continuing

On 25 November 2024, HM Treasury published the text of a speech by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq MP, outlining the Government’s approach to tokenisation and regulation. In the speech, which was delivered at the Tokenisation Summit on 21 November 2024, Ms Siddiq discussed the initiatives the Government is taking forward

On 4 November 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) issued a statement welcoming the first industry-led Project Guardian report on tokenisation in the asset management sector.

Background

Project Guardian is an international collaboration of industry and regulators, led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), that explores the use of fund

On 21 October 2024, the FCA published a blog, Cryptoasset registrations: building strong foundations.

Among other things the blog states that no two FCA registration applications are the same and therefore the FCA’s guidance, pre-application meetings and practical examples are there to help each individual applicant. The FCA’s decision on whether to register is

On 3 October 2024, the Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice (BCAP) published a new rule explicitly banning advertisements for certain types of cryptoasset products from being broadcast to mainstream, non-specialist audiences.

BCAP explains that these products were already subject to such a restriction under BCAP Code rule 14.5.4, as the products are not

On 12 September 2024, the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill was published, along with explanatory notes.

The Bill, which had its first reading in the House of Lords on 11 September 2024, provides that something may be capable of attracting property rights even if does not fit into either of the two categories

On 7 August 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a summary of its review of cryptoasset firms’ compliance with new financial promotion rules designed to help people better understand the risks of investing in crypto.

Background

Following a change in legislation, qualifying cryptoassets were brought into scope of the financial promotions regime

On 30 July 2024, the Law Commission published a supplemental report and draft Bill that, if implemented, would confirm the existence of a third category of personal property into which certain digital and other assets could fall. This follows the publication in June 2023 of the Commission’s final report on digital assets, which set