FCA needs additional powers to keep pace with online fraud in 2026

Caroline Black, Consultant at Gherson LLP, commented in a recent Law360 UK article on expectations of significant growth in fraud and other financial crime in 2026.

The article reports that online misconduct continues to outpace the FCA’s enforcement capacity, particularly in crypto-assets and unauthorised investment promotions. Commenting on the regulator’s response, Caroline Black noted that while the FCA’s efforts to block websites and remove apps have been valuable, “determined fraudsters often simply re-emerge in a never-ending game of whack-a-mole,” adding that limited regulatory oversight of the crypto market allows loopholes to be exploited. In order to keep up with the explosion of online fraud, the FCA needs additional regulation and enforcement powers as well as to make the most of the existing tools at its disposal.

Read more: FCA Expected To Boost Fines, Name More Companies In 2026 (Law360 UK)