FCA Crypto Authorisation Gateway Opens September 30

TL;DR The FCA’s application window for Britain’s new crypto regime opens September 30. Applications in the main window can be submitted until February 28, 2027. The new regulatory regime itself starts October 25, 2027. Crypto firms operating in the UK are getting close to a date that matters a lot more than another consultation paper. The Financial Conduct Authority’s application gateway for the country’s new cryptoasset regime opens on September 30, 2026. The main application window runs through February 28, 2027, ahead of the new regime taking effect on October 25, 2027. That gives firms a fairly long runway, but not an unlimited one. Once the new framework begins, businesses carrying out activities brought within the regulated perimeter will need the relevant FCA authorisation. Registration Is Becoming Authorisation The change is bigger than simply filling in another form. Many UK crypto companies currently interact with the FCA primarily through the country’s anti-money-laundering registration framework. The incoming regime moves much more of the industry into the standard Financial Services and Markets Act structure. That means firms will be assessed as authorised financial bu...