FCA

London, UK – In a significant move that could reshape retail cryptocurrency investment in the UK, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced plans to lift its ban on the sale of cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) to individual investors, effective October 2025. This decision marks a notable shift in the regulator's stance, which previously cited concerns over investor protection and the volatile nature of crypto assets as reasons for the prohibition.

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The FCA's initial ban, implemented in 2021, restricted the sale of crypto-derived products to retail investors, allowing only professional and institutional investors access. The regulator argued that these products were ill-suited for retail consumers due to their complexity, volatility, and the potential for significant losses.

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However, the financial landscape has evolved considerably since then. The growing maturity of the cryptocurrency market, coupled with increased regulatory clarity in other jurisdictions, appears to have influenced the FCA's reassessment. The regulator’s new approach suggests a more nuanced understanding of the market, acknowledging the increasing demand for diversified investment opportunities among retail investors.

​Sources close to the FCA indicate that the decision follows extensive consultations with industry stakeholders, financial institutions, and consumer advocacy groups. The phased reintroduction is expected to be accompanied by a robust framework designed to mitigate risks. This framework will likely include enhanced disclosure requirements for ETN providers, stricter suitability assessments for retail investors, and comprehensive educational campaigns to inform consumers about the inherent risks associated with crypto investments.

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While the full details of the new regulatory framework are yet to be unveiled, market participants are already reacting positively to the news. Industry experts believe that reopening retail access to crypto ETNs will bring greater liquidity to the UK market and potentially attract more innovation in the digital asset space. It could also provide a regulated and more accessible pathway for retail investors to gain exposure to cryptocurrencies without directly owning the underlying assets, which often involves navigating complex custody solutions.

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Nevertheless, some consumer protection advocates remain cautious, emphasizing the continued need for vigilance and robust investor education. They argue that while the market has matured, the inherent volatility of cryptocurrencies persists, and retail investors must be fully aware of the potential for substantial capital loss.

​The FCA's decision represents a pragmatic step towards integrating digital assets into the mainstream financial system in the UK. By setting an October 2025 timeline, the regulator is providing ample time for the industry to prepare for the new regime and for investors to become better informed. This move could position the UK as a more competitive hub for cryptocurrency investment, balancing innovation with prudent risk management.
#FCA #CryptoNews

October 1, 2025 – In a triumphant milestone for regulated innovation in the financial sector, IG Group has achieved a groundbreaking crypto asset license from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), emerging as the pioneering London-listed entity to grace the regulator's esteemed crypto register. This authoritative endorsement propels IG Group toward accelerated expansion of its cryptocurrency services, empowering retail investors with seamless, compliant access to dynamic digital assets and reinforcing the firm's stature as a versatile powerhouse in global trading ecosystems.
The license, granted to IG Digital Assets Limited, arrives amid the FCA's strategic pivot to streamlined registration pathways, reflecting heightened regulatory agility in nurturing secure crypto advancements. IG Group, renowned for its robust suite of retail trading and investment solutions, swiftly capitalized on this opportunity. Having introduced cryptocurrency trading in June via a strategic alliance with Uphold—an FCA-registered partner—the company navigated its application process with unwavering resolve. Now, with full regulatory clearance, IG Group transitions to autonomous operations, poised to deliver enhanced functionalities that elevate user empowerment and market efficiency.
Catalyzing Seamless Crypto Integration and Investor Empowerment
This pivotal approval unlocks transformative capabilities, enabling customers to effortlessly transfer digital assets directly into and out of the IG platform, bypassing intermediary complexities. Users will soon revel in an amplified array of tokens, fortified by precision pricing mechanisms that optimize value realization and mitigate volatility impacts. Existing cryptocurrency participants require no immediate intervention, as IG Group orchestrates a smooth migration to its native infrastructure in the forthcoming weeks, ensuring uninterrupted continuity and heightened security.
Michael Healy, IG Group's UK Managing Director, eloquently captured the essence of this evolution: "This marks a significant step forward for IG as we continue to broaden our offering for UK investors. The FCA license not only enables us to provide a wider range of crypto services, but it also gives our customers greater flexibility and control." Such visionary leadership underscores IG Group's dedication to fostering an inclusive trading environment where ambition meets accessibility, blending intuitive tools with rigorous compliance to democratize sophisticated financial strategies.
Fortifying a Multi-Asset Trading Powerhouse Amid Regulatory Momentum
IG Group's triumph aligns seamlessly with the UK's burgeoning ambition to emerge as a premier hub for cryptocurrency innovation, harmonizing stringent oversight with economic vitality. By embedding crypto alongside its established portfolio—encompassing stocks, indices, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), forex, commodities, and derivatives—IG Group solidifies its role as the ultimate one-stop destination for diversified asset exposure. This holistic approach eradicates the fragmentation of managing disparate providers, streamlining workflows and amplifying portfolio diversification for ambitious global clientele.
The firm's recent international strides, including the acquisition of a majority stake in Australia's Independent Reserve for A$178 million, exemplify its relentless pursuit of scalable growth. This FCA milestone not only bolsters domestic resilience but also positions IG Group to capture surging institutional and retail enthusiasm, where regulated pathways catalyze trust and adoption. Market sentiment echoed this optimism, with IG shares ascending 1.23% to 10.74 pounds ($14) in early London trading, signaling investor confidence in sustained profitability and strategic foresight.
Charting an Inclusive Future for Regulated Digital Finance
As the FCA's progressive framework gains traction, IG Group's license heralds a new epoch of integrated financial services, where blockchain's disruptive potential converges with traditional safeguards to unlock exponential opportunities. This development not only empowers individual traders with unparalleled control and versatility but also sets a compelling benchmark for peers, inspiring accelerated regulatory dialogues and collaborative advancements. In an era defined by rapid digitization, IG Group stands at the vanguard, architecting a resilient, user-centric landscape that propels economic empowerment and innovation to unprecedented heights.

#FCA

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has just announced the next phase in the crypto regulatory roadmap – focusing on obtaining community opinions on key activities such as staking, lending, DeFi, trading, and even borrowing money to buy crypto. This is seen as an important step to bring the digital asset market in the UK into a clear legal framework, laying the foundation for sustainable development.

Clear regulations – great trust for the crypto industry

The UK’s top financial regulator (FCA) wants to prohibit retail investors from using borrowed money to purchase cryptocurrencies.
Why?

To protect people from market manipulation and risky leveraged trades 🧠⚠️
The industry is watching closely.

Could this set a new precedent for crypto regulation in Europe?
#CryptoRegulation #UKCrypto #FCA #CryptoNews #DeFi

Recently, the UK financial regulatory body FCA proposed a draft intending to exempt certain 'conduct standards' requirements of traditional financial services for cryptocurrency companies, such as the requirement for companies to demonstrate 'integrity, skill, care, diligence, and customer interest'. These rules are standard for traditional financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies, but due to the uniqueness of the crypto business, the FCA believes that applying them comprehensively may stifle innovation in the industry. The draft also notes the need to strengthen the management of cybersecurity and operational risks. Public consultation will continue until November.