meta_id 3212770

On June 2, 2026, the Scottish Ministers made the Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026 (Commencement) Regulations 2026, which appoint July 1, 2026 as the date for key provisions of the Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026 to come into force. The regulations were laid before the Scottish Parliament on June 4, 2026. The commencement regulations bring into force sections 1 through 6 of the Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026, which establish the foundational legal framework for digital assets in Scotland. These provisions define the meaning of digital assets, establish their nature in Scots law, create a presumption of ownership, set out rules for acquisition of ownership, define the meaning of control, and specify that these provisions remain subject to other enactments. The Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026 received Royal Assent on April 16, 2026, with sections 7, 8, 9, and 10 coming into force the following day. The regulations ensure that the core definitional and ownership provisions of the act take effect on July 1, 2026, providing legal certainty for digital asset holders and establishing Scotland's regulatory framework for this emerging asset class. The July 1, 2026 commencement date marks the effective date for these foundational provisions. Stakeholders including financial institutions, digital asset operators, and legal practitioners should ensure compliance with the new framework from this date forward. REFERENCES: Digital Assets (Scotland) Act 2026 (Commencement) Regulations 2026, Scottish Statutory Instruments 2026 No. 197