Last Updated: June 9th 2025
The UK financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’), has expanded the scope of the financial promotions regime to enhance protections for UK users investing in cryptoassets. All cryptoasset firms - like Coinbase - who market to UK consumers will have to comply with the new rules from 8 October 2023: www.coinbase.com/en-gb/uk-fca-info
MiCA applies to all crypto service providers and crypto-asset issuers within the EU:
finance.ec.europa.eu/digital-finance/crypto-assets_en
However, UK service providers targeting EU investors or offering services in the EU need to obtain a MiCA authorisation:
gov.uk/government/collections/cryptoassets
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) serves as the primary regulator for crypto markets in the UK, not just for crypto but as part of its broader financial regulatory role. Initially, the FCA registered crypto firms under anti-money laundering rules and has consistently warned that crypto investments are high-risk:
http://www.fca.org.uk/news/speeches/regulation-digital-assets-uk
Most crypto-related activities are not regulated, as of yet, in the UK. It’s true that crypto businesses operating in the UK do have to register with us and abide by our anti-money laundering rules, as well as our new marketing rules. The marketing of crypto is regulated, and you can help protect yourself by recognising regulated crypto marketing. Whenever you invest in crypto you should see prominent warnings about the risk of losing your money, and you shouldn’t be offered any free gifts to join or bonuses to refer a friend:
https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/crypto-investment-scams