The first half of 2025 brought significant developments in the regulation of digital and cryptoassets in the UK and EU. In this half-year update, we review these and look ahead to likely developments in the UK and EU in the...more
U.S. Companies Continue Stablecoin Payment Integrations, Product Launches - According to a recent press release, a major multinational payment card services company has announced several new programs to support global...more
The Financial Services Regulatory Initiatives Forum (the Forum) has published the Regulatory Initiatives Forum Grid (the Grid), with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also updating its webpage. The previous Grid was...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: the UK government publishing a pro-growth Action Plan for regulators and regulation, including pledges from the FCA of relevance to payments and digital assets firms;...more
HM Treasury has published a speech given on November 21, 2024, by Tulip Siddiq, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, on the U.K. government's approach to tokenisation and regulation. In the speech, Ms. Siddiq confirms that HM...more
The Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Mansion House speech on 14 November 2024 and the National Payments Vision—published on the same day—set out key policy initiatives regarding the future of the UK financial services sector....more
The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority has published a discussion paper regarding potential future proposals for regulating fiat-backed stablecoins, including when used as a means of payment. The FCA's paper follows the...more
HM Treasury has published a response to its consultation on cryptoasset regulation, setting out its final proposals for the U.K.'s cryptoasset regulatory regime. The U.K. plans to make cryptoassets a new category of...more
On 7 June 2023, the U.K. government published a statutory instrument (the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023 (FP (Amendment) Order) and related explanatory memorandum)...more
The U.K. government has published its much-anticipated proposals for regulating the cryptoasset industry. These proposals, currently in the form of a consultation, will see many (but not all) cryptoasset-related activities...more
Innovate Finance and Shearman & Sterling has submitted a comprehensive evidence paper to the House of Commons Treasury Committee inquiry into crypto-assets. Analysis produced by Innovate Finance specially for the...more
HM Treasury has launched an inquiry into the role of crypto-assets in the U.K. and their regulatory framework. The inquiry poses questions on a range of subjects, including the likelihood of digital currencies (e.g.,...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: Queen's Speech 2022 announces forthcoming Financial Services and Markets Bill; European Commission consultations and calls for evidence on PSD2 review and open...more
Following the Queen's speech yesterday, the government has published a briefing pack setting out details of the bills that it intends to introduce, including the so-called Brexit Freedoms Bill as well as key legislation...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: HM Treasury announces package of crypto measures including next steps on UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets, stablecoins and DLT in financial markets; Philippines...more
The UK’s HM Treasury published its response to last year’s consultation on the UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets, stablecoins, and distributed ledger technology (“DLT”) in financial markets on the 4th of April 2022. ...more
HMT has published its response to its January 2021 consultation and call for evidence on the UK regulatory approach to cryptoassets and stablecoins. The consultation response confirms the government’s intention to bring...more
On 18 January 2022, HM Treasury published the results of its July 2020 consultation on cryptoasset promotions, and confirmed that the UK government will introduce measures that will effectively bring a wider range of...more
The turn of a new year has brought new UK regulatory developments that have the potential to significantly impact financial services and other financially regulated businesses. This update highlights the key changes in the UK...more
Key developments of interest over the last month include: United Kingdom: HM Treasury responds to Payments Landscape Review call for evidence Hong Kong: HKMA publishes white paper exploring the idea of a CBDC Italy: Bank of...more