I. U.S. Sanctions - President Trump Threatens Sanctions on Russia Following Drone Attack on Ukraine: On May 28, Bloomberg reported that President Trump said he was “‘absolutely’ considering new sanctions against Russia as...more
HM Treasury (HMT) has published a response to its 2024 consultation on regulating Buy-Now, Pay-Later (BNPL) products and laid the draft secondary legislation (Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities etc)...more
In October 2024, HM Treasury (HMT) published a consultation paper amid perceived concerns related to the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) sector, including uninformed consumer decisions, affordability checks and levels of...more
The Treasury (HMT) launched a consultation and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a call for input in April 2025 kick-starting a review of the UK’s regulatory regime for Alternative Investment Fund Managers...more
HM Treasury has confirmed its approach to the regulation of Buy-Now Pay-Later (BNPL) lending in its response to the October 2024 consultation. On 19 May 2025, Government also laid draft legislation before Parliament. Given...more
HM Treasury published its long-anticipated consultation on Phase 1 of the proposed reform of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 (CCA) on 19 May 2025. The consultation signals a significant move away from prescriptive legislation...more
UK Financial Insights from Katten is a monthly newsletter highlighting key noteworthy developments potentially affecting financial markets and funds in the UK and Europe....more
Government consults on the first stage of reforming the UK consumer credit regime, covering information requirements, sanctions, and criminal offences....more
On 19 May 2025, HM Treasury released a suite of publications as part of its ongoing efforts to modernise the UK’s consumer credit framework. These include the Consumer Credit Act Reform – Phase 1: May 2025 Consultation, the...more
The HM Treasury (HMT) has published a draft of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Cryptoassets) Order 2025, together with an accompanying policy note... ...more
On 7 April 2025, the United Kingdom’s HM Treasury opened a consultation (the Consultation) on proposals to streamline the regulatory framework for alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs). Alongside the Consultation, the...more
On 29 April, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the publication by HM Treasury of near-final legislation to bring cryptoassets within the scope of the UK’s regulatory perimeter. Shortly after, on 2 May, the UK Financial...more
The UK government has published long-awaited draft legislation setting out how the regulatory perimeter will be expanded to include cryptoassets, with the introduction of new regulated activities relating to cryptoassets,...more
On 29 April 2025, HM Treasury published near-final draft legislation establishing a financial services regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the UK, along with a policy note explaining the intended policy outcomes of the...more
On 29 April, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled draft legislation aimed at regulating cryptoassets at the International Fintech Growth Summit (IFGS) in London, sponsored by Latham & Watkins. The proposed legislation...more
In its consultation response, the government notes that the proposal to establish a PISCES Sandbox was well received as an appropriate way to develop and test this new regulatory regime. The government confirms that it will...more
The UK Chancellor announces a growth-focused agenda for financial services. On 14 November 2024, the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, delivered her first Mansion House speech....more
HM Treasury has opened a consultation on managing the failure of systemic digital settlement asset firms, including stablecoin firms. In April 2022, the U.K. government confirmed that it will bring the issuing of or the...more
Crypto Payment Initiatives Announced in Stablecoins, Lightning Network, Mining - Late last week, the issuer of USD Coin (USDC) announced that it had selected a major U.S. bank as a primary custodian for USDC reserves....more
Transposing more than 40 years of EU legislations is not straightforward, including when it comes to EU sanctions laws. In this context, UK secondary legislations are needed to replace references in sanctions laws to Member...more
HM Treasury has published draft legislation that will allow the UK to make timely equivalence decisions in relation to the EU. Key Points: ..Post-Brexit, HM Treasury will take on the role of making equivalence decisions...more
HM Treasury has published a draft of the Central Securities Depositories (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, along with explanatory information. The draft Regulations...more
HM Treasury has published a draft of the Trade Repositories (Amendment and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018, along with explanatory information. The draft Regulations are primarily relevant for Trade...more