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pc nid 93601 Jun 30, 2026 csoo@vixio.com United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority horizon scanning
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United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority Publishes Final Policy Statement on Handbook Application for Regulated Cryptoasset Activities

On June 25, 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Policy Statement PS26/13, setting out final rules and guidance on how key cross-cutting FCA Handbook obligations will apply to regulated cryptoasset activities in the United Kingdom. The policy statement confirms that most firms carrying on regulated cryptoasset activities will be subject to requirements including the Consumer Duty, Conduct of Business Standards (COBS), Dispute Resolution, Financial Ombudsman Service access, Senior Management Arrangements Systems and Controls (SYSC), the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), Environmental Social and Governance (ESG), the Client Asset Sourcebook (CASS), and regulatory reporting. The FCA has maintained its proposed framework while making targeted refinements to improve clarity and proportionality. Key changes include excluding UK-issued qualifying stablecoins from the definition of restricted mass market investments, making focused amendments to SYSC, COBS, DISP, CASS and reporting requirements, and adjusting the enhanced threshold for SM&CR qualifying UK stablecoin issuers to £20 billion in backing assets calculated as a three-year rolling average. The policy statement provides clarifications to non-Handbook guidance on the Consumer Duty, including territorial scope, fair value, consumer support and consumer understanding. The FCA has also given further clarity on operational resilience expectations under SYSC 15A and clarified its approach to international cryptoasset firms, allowing dual-regulated firms to operate in the UK through a branch where the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is satisfied that threshold conditions are met. The final rules and guidance come into force on October 25, 2027, when the FCA authorisation gateway opens for regulated cryptoasset activities.

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UK's Financial Conduct Authority Publishes Final Policy Statement on Handbook Application for Regulated Cryptoasset Activities

On June 30, 2026, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published Policy Statement PS26/13, setting out final rules and guidance on how key cross-cutting FCA Handbook obligations will apply to regulated cryptoasset activities in the UK. The policy statement confirms that most firms carrying on regulated cryptoasset activities will be subject to requirements including the Consumer Duty, Conduct of Business Standards (COBS), Dispute Resolution, Financial Ombudsman Service access, Senior Management Arrangements Systems and Controls (SYSC), the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR), Environmental Social and Governance (ESG), the Client Asset Sourcebook (CASS), and regulatory reporting. Key changes include: Excluding UK-issued qualifying stablecoins from the definition of restricted mass market investments. Making focused amendments to SYSC, COBS, DISP, CASS and reporting requirements. Adjusting the enhanced threshold for SM&CR qualifying UK stablecoin issuers to £20 billion in backing assets calculated as a three-year rolling average. The policy statement provides clarifications to non-Handbook guidance on the Consumer Duty, including territorial scope, fair value, consumer support and consumer understanding. Further clarity on operational resilience expectations under SYSC 15A and clarified its approach to international cryptoasset firms, allowing dual-regulated firms to operate in the UK through a branch where the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) is satisfied that threshold conditions are met. The final rules and guidance come into force on October 25, 2027.