The United Kingdom is set to introduce new legislation covering stablecoins and various crypto activities, including staking, trading, and custody, expected to be implemented by June or July 2024. This marks a significant milestone as it brings digital assets under regulatory oversight for the first time, following the approval of the Financial Services and Markets Act in June 2023.
UK Economic Secretary Bim Afolami reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fast-tracking cryptocurrency-related issues during the Innovate Finance Global Summit. The forthcoming regulations aim to foster a regulated and supervised environment for the nascent industry, ensuring consumer protection and market integrity.
The legislation signifies the UK government’s efforts to create a crypto-friendly environment while balancing innovation and investor protection. Despite challenges faced by the industry, such as delays and inadequate feedback from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the forthcoming regulations demonstrate the government’s commitment to fostering a regulated and supervised crypto industry.
While the specifics of the new regulations are yet to be unveiled, it is clear that crypto assets will operate within a more defined regulatory framework in the UK.
