The Race Is On: FCA Publishes Final Rules for UK Cryptoasset Regime

Posted on June 30, 2026

Posted in Cryptoassets, Fintech Regulation

The rules cover trading admission and market abuse, stablecoin issuance, regulated activities, and how prudential and FCA Handbook requirements will apply to cryptoasset firms.

By Stuart Davis, Gabriel Lakeman, Brett Carr, Emma Trankeenan, Cameron Jones, and Imaan Nazir

On 30 June 2026, the FCA published a suite of policy statements setting out the final rules for the UK’s new cryptoasset regime. The publications mark a significant milestone in the UK’s approach to cryptoasset regulation, moving from consultation to confirmed rules across a wide range of areas.

The policy statements respond to feedback received on the FCA’s prior consultation papers and cover the following:

PS26/9 on Admissions and Disclosures (A&D) and Market Abuse Regime for Cryptoassets (MARC) — establishing the framework for cryptoasset trading venue admissions standards, issuer disclosure obligations, and a dedicated market abuse regime for qualifying cryptoassets
PS26/10 on stablecoin issuance — finalising requirements for fiat-backed stablecoin issuers, including reserve and redemption requirements
PS26/11 on regulated cryptoasset activities — confirming the perimeter and conduct requirements for firms carrying on regulated cryptoasset activities, including custody
PS26/12 on the prudential regime for cryptoasset firms — setting out capital, liquidity, and risk management requirements for cryptoasset firms, supplemented by further consultations on non-Handbook prudential guidance
- The FCA also published two guidance consultations alongside the policy statement: GC26/4 on COREPRU Guidance Consultation and GC26/5 on CRYPTOPRU Guidance Consultation.
PS26/13 on the application of the FCA Handbook for Regulated Cryptoasset Activities — confirming how existing Handbook provisions (including the Consumer Duty, operational resilience requirements, and the approach to international firms) will apply to cryptoasset firms, together with finalised guidance on each
- The FCA also published three guidance documents alongside the policy statement: FCA FG26/5 on non-Handbook guidance on the Consumer Duty for cryptoasset firms, FG26/6 on operational resilience, and FG26/7 on the approach to international cryptoasset firms.