meta_id 3281775

On June 30, 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a guidance consultation (GC26/5) on non-Handbook guidance (NHG) for Chapter 7 of CRYPTOPRU, the new prudential sourcebook for cryptoasset firms. The guidance clarifies FCA expectations regarding how cryptoasset firms should conduct overall risk assessments to comply with prudential requirements. The FCA developed this guidance to enhance the accessibility of its rules by distinguishing supporting material from core Handbook content, making it easier for firms to navigate requirements and adopt prudential standards consistently. The guidance addresses the following areas: Risk identification. Stress testing. Recovery actions. Wind-down planning. Covers key risk categories including market risk, leverage, credit risk, liquidity risk, operational risk, market liquidity, and concentration risk. The FCA expects firms to conduct forward-looking assessments reflecting both current and projected future positions, including the impact of new products, business lines, or material operating changes. The guidance emphasises stress testing as critical to understanding how risks, mitigants, and financial resources behave under both normal and stressed conditions. Firms must apply severe but plausible stresses and use reverse stress testing to identify the point at which their business model becomes unviable, informing recovery and wind-down planning. The FCA provides examples of firm-specific stresses (such as cyber-attacks or trading partner failures), market-wide stresses (such as cryptoasset price declines), and combined stresses. The guidance also addresses own funds and liquid asset requirements, wind-down planning, and group risk considerations specific to cryptoasset firms. This consultation is relevant to: Firms seeking authorisation and regulation for the Regulated Activities outlined in the Cryptoasset Regulations. Firms that participate in, or support the services of, regulated cryptoasset activities. Industry groups, law firms and trade bodies representing firms in the cryptoasset sector. Professional advisers in the cryptoasset sector and law firms. Consumers and groups representing consumer interests. The consultation closes on July 30, 2026, and responses can be made through either the online form or by email to gc26-5@fca.org.uk . Following the consultation, the FCA plans to publish the final non-Handbook guidance by September 30, 2026.