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
Comprehensive regulation to come with further licensing regimes for crypto advisory and asset management services, in addition to crypto dealing and custody.
By Simon Hawkins and Adrian Fong
On 26 May 2026, the Hong Kong Financial Services and Treasury Bureau (FSTB) and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) issued consultation conclusions on their legislative proposals to regulate virtual asset advisory (VA advisory) and virtual asset management (VA management) services (Consultation Conclusions).
This follows their December 2025 consultation conclusions on virtual
The guidance defines certain regulated cryptoasset activities broadly, potentially placing onerous authorisation obligations on DeFi and web3 user interfaces and wallets.
By Stuart Davis, Gabriel Lakeman, Brett Carr, Cameron Jones, and Imaan Nazir
On 15 April 2026, the FCA published draft perimeter guidance (in CP 26/13) that, if finalised in its current form, could bring a large segment of global web3 interface providers and wallets within scope of UK cryptoasset licensing requirements. The guidance interprets
An interactive online resource covering the UK’s rapidly evolving cryptoasset landscape.
By Stuart Davis, Gabriel Lakeman, and Emma Trankeenan
Latham & Watkins has launched the UK Cryptoasset Regulatory Tracker, a new online resource that provides cryptoasset businesses with critical information to help them navigate the latest regulatory developments in cryptoassets.
The UK framework for cryptoassets is shifting, with significant regulatory and legislative developments expected in 2026. The UK government has published draft legislation for cryptoassets, which
Spain follows the trajectory of other EU Member States that have similarly recalibrated their transitional periods since ESMA first published its consolidated list.
By Gabriel Lakeman, Paloma Arizón, and Ivan Pizeta
On 1 December 2025, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published an updated list of grandfathering periods decided by EU Member States under the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). These transitional periods enable firms currently providing services pursuant to pre-MiCA Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) registrations
The proposed legislation will bring cryptoassets into the full scope of UK financial services regulation and enable the UK’s future cryptoasset regime.
By Stuart Davis and Gabriel Lakeman
On 29 April, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled draft legislation aimed at regulating cryptoassets at the International Fintech Growth Summit (IFGS) in London, sponsored by Latham & Watkins.
The proposed legislation will bring cryptoassets (including stablecoins) and cryptoasset-related activities in scope of the UK regulatory perimeter, providing the fundamental legislative framework for the UK’s future financial services regime for cryptoassets. When implemented, firms issuing stablecoins, operating cryptoasset trading platforms, and providing custody, brokerage, or dealing services will require full authorisation to conduct activity in the UK.1
A recent statutory instrument aims to remove legal uncertainty surrounding crypto staking and ease blockchain operations.
By Stuart Davis, Gabriel Lakeman, and Emma Trankeenan
On 9 January 2025, the UK Government published the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Collective Investment Schemes) (Amendment) Order 2025 (SI 2025/17) (the Staking SI) and the accompanying explanatory memorandum (the Explanatory Memorandum).
The Staking SI together with the Explanatory Memorandum confirm that arrangements where a firm provides services to stake cryptoassets on
The FinmadiG introduces material implementation measures for the European Digital Finance Package.
By Axel Schiemann and Lasse Winzer
On 18 December 2024, the German Parliament (Deutscher Bundestag) has passed the Financial Market Digitisation Act (Finanzmarktdigitalisierungsgesetz — FinmadiG). The FinmadiG serves as the German implementation of several European rules, inter alia, Regulation (EU) 2023/1114 on Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) and Regulation (EU) 2023/1113 on information accompanying transfers of funds and certain cryptoassets (FTR). Under the amendments introduced by