Our podcast mini-series on ‘Crypto under the FCA’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated policy statements published on 30 June 2026, which collectively shape the new regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the United Kingdom. This latest podcast in the series focuses on the FCA’s new crypto authorisation application forms as the FCA has published detailed information…

On 16 July 2026, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) published a targeted update on implementation of the FATF standards on Virtual Assets (VAs) and Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs).

Background

This targeted update assesses progress and remaining gaps in the implementation of Recommendation 15 (R.15) across…

On 20 July 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published a statement on preparing for the EU T+1 settlement cycle.

Background

On 11 October 2027, the EU financial markets will move to a T+1 settlement cycle. As a result, ESMA sets out that it considers that implementation of the changes required…

On 20 July 2026, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published its follow-up report to the Peer Review on the supervision of cross-border activities of investment firms.

Background

This follow-up report updates on the actions taken by six National Competent Authorities (NCAs) to address the findings and recommendations of the…

The allegations concerning the National Energy System Operator that have been brought into the public spotlight by Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho over the past week continue to attract significant attention. While the facts remain unclear and it would be wrong to speculate on the merits of the allegations, the episode serves as a timely…

On 15 July 2026, the government published a call for evidence in relation to unauthorised fraud in the UK.

Background

The government sets out that unauthorised fraud refers to fraudulent transactions made without the account holder’s knowledge or consent where access is gained to a bank account, payment card, or remote banking channel and make…

On 17 July 2026, the European Commission (the Commission) adopted a communication on strengthening the competitiveness of the EU banking sector.

Background

The Commission emphasises that it considers that a competitive banking sector is essential to finance growth, innovation, strategic autonomy and the EU’s major investment needs and sets out that this communication is…

Last month the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that it had closed its investigation into Drax Group plc (Drax), having found no evidence that justified any further action. The closure is a noteworthy development, not only for Drax but also in the broader context of the FCA’s new framework for publicising…

Our podcast mini-series on ‘Crypto under the FCA’ examines the FCA’s highly anticipated policy statements published on 30 June 2026, which collectively shape the new regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the United Kingdom. This podcast in the series focuses on the FCA’s approach to operational resilience, one of the core cross-cutting requirements the FCA has…

On 16 July 2026, the European Banking Authority (EBA) published the official translations of its amended guidelines on the application of the definition of default required under Article 178 of the Capital Requirements Regulation (CRR), as amended by CRR III. The final report on the guidelines had been published in May…