UK: UK FCA to Relax Crypto Rules, Boost Cyber Laws: FT

The U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) intends to relax certain regulations for cryptocurrency companies while tightening rules in areas like cyber risks, according to a Financial Times report on Wednesday.

As per the report, the FCA aims to adapt its financial services framework to the unique characteristics of cryptoassets, as outlined in a consultation paper published the same day. David Geale, the FCA’s executive director for payments and digital finance, emphasized that a direct application of traditional finance rules to crypto is ineffective.

Geale said, “You have to recognize that some of these things are very different,” noting that rules requiring firms to operate with integrity and prioritize customer interests may be adjusted. FCA sees crypto companies as less risky to the financial system than banks or investment platforms, so they will face less strict rules on senior management, systems, and controls.

The FCA will also skip mandatory cooling-off periods for crypto customers because crypto prices change quickly. Since blockchain technology is open and doesn’t rely on middlemen, it won’t be treated as an outsourcing setup needing extra risk checks. The FCA will also tighten rules to tackle crypto-specific risks, like cyberattacks. While some details are still being worked out, the regulator plans to fully include cryptocurrencies in its framework by 2026.

The goal is to encourage innovation while keeping proper oversight compared to traditional finance. Earlier, on May 3, 2025, the FCA also introduced rules preventing regular consumers from using credit cards or other borrowed funds to buy cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.