TLDR
- The U.K. FCA has published a final consultation on applying consumer duty to cryptocurrency firms.
- Feedback on the consultation is due by March 12, influencing future crypto regulations.
- The FCA requires crypto firms to act in good faith and provide clear information to customers.
- The FCA plans to open the application gateway for crypto firms seeking authorization in September 2026.
- The consultation will shape rules for crypto firms in the U.K. under the new legislation set for October 2027.
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has advanced its efforts to regulate cryptocurrency firms with a new consultation on consumer duty. The consultation invites feedback from stakeholders, including crypto companies, auditors, and consumer organizations, with a deadline set for March 12. This move signals a step closer to formal crypto regulation in the U.K., scheduled for September 2026.
FCA Seeks Feedback on Consumer Duty for Crypto Firms
The U.K. FCA is focusing on how consumer duty should apply to cryptoasset companies. The consumer duty aims to ensure that firms act in good faith, avoid foreseeable harm, and support customers in achieving their financial goals. Crypto firms must provide clear information, fair pricing, and support to customers, not only at the point of sale but throughout their entire journey.
The FCA’s consultation offers crypto companies the chance to provide feedback on how these rules would affect them. The regulator emphasized that while it expects firms to adhere to these high standards, it does not intend to stifle innovation in the crypto space. “We want a market where innovation can thrive, but where people understand the risks,” the FCA stated. The consultation will inform future rules for cryptoasset companies operating in the U.K.
U.K. FCA’s Regulation Roadmap for Crypto Firms
In December 2025, the U.K. Treasury introduced legislation to extend existing financial regulations to include crypto companies. This includes a requirement for crypto firms to obtain authorization under new rules taking effect in October 2027. The FCA has already started accepting applications for firms wishing to offer regulated crypto services, with the application gateway for cryptoasset permissions scheduled to open in September 2026.
The FCA’s regulatory framework aims to ensure that the crypto industry operates transparently and in a way that protects consumers. Earlier this month, the FCA highlighted that all companies offering crypto-related services in the U.K. would need to be authorized under these new rules.
This includes businesses that are currently registered under the U.K.’s anti-money laundering regulations. In the coming months, the U.K. FCA will continue its consultations and refine its approach to regulating cryptocurrency in the country.