UK crypto regulation – what is the current state of crypto regulation in the UK

Firms looking to launch cryptoassets, or products connected to cryptoassets, in the UK will need to consider the current UK regulatory landscape.

This could include not just Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) regulations, but also a potential consideration of anti-money laundering (“AML”) regulations, data protection regulations, intellectual property issues and the rules relating to consumer advertising.

There is also potential new regulation to consider. Going forwards, the implementation of the Financial Services and Markets Bill looks likely to bring a specific type of cryptoasset, namely stablecoins, into the regulatory perimeter.  

However, a common initial general question asked is “are cryptoassets regulated in the UK?”

Are cryptoassets regulated in the UK?

Except where they crossover into the regulatory perimeter, cryptoassets in the UK are currently unregulated. Therefore, in order to determine whether a specific cryptoasset is regulated in the UK it remains necessary to perform a thorough examination of the characteristics of the specific cryptoasset to establish whether it crosses into the regulatory perimeter. 

There are various overlapping ways of categorising cryptoassets from a regulatory perspective. 

Indeed, the Cryptoasset Taskforce (the “Taskforce”), comprised the FCA, the Bank of England and HM Treasury, was established to categorise cryptoassets in order to determine whether they fall within the FCA’s regulatory perimeter. The Taskforce determined three categories of cryptoassets, specifically utility tokens, exchange tokens and security tokens. 

As things currently stand, and with the exception of cryptoassets deemed to be e-money tokens, only cryptoassets that fall within the category of security tokens will generally fall within the regulatory perimeter.

Therefore, another way of looking at the categorisation is whether the cryptoasset is a security token, an e-money token or an unregulated token. Given that there is presently no wider cryptoasset regulatory framework, regulation only currently bites where a cryptoasset’s characteristics cause a crossover into these regulated areas (i.e. where a cryptoasset is either a security or an e-money token). 

All in all, a firm will need to conduct a thorough examination of the particular characteristics of the specific cryptoasset in question before determining whether it crosses into the regulatory perimeter.

It is important to note that a cryptoasset’s characteristics could alter over time thus causing the specific cryptoasset to potentially move between the different categories, and therefore, in or out of the regulatory perimeter.

In conclusion, a firm involved with cryptoassets that come within the FCA’s regulatory perimeter will be subject to FCA authorisation and/or permission requirements and may very well need to undertake various regulatory steps before it conducts business in the UK.

What about regulation for anti-money laundering?

In addition to conducting this thorough examination, it is also important to note that UK AML regulations can apply to UK crypto firms that provide exchange or custodian services for cryptoassets. 

The UK Government has transposed AML requirements relating to cryptoassets into national law, specifically through incorporating the requirements of the EU’s Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (“AMLD5”). UK national law implements AMLD5 via the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (the “2019 AML regulations”).

As such, the 2019 AML regulations have now expanded the scope of persons subject to the existing AML regulations to include cryptoasset exchange providers and custodian wallet providers.

The factors to consider when determining whether a business with exposure to cryptoassets is in scope (and will need to comply with the 2019 AML regulations, including registration with the FCA) will probably include –

1. whether the particular cryptoasset involved is deemed a cryptoasset under the 2019 AML regulations (for 2019 AML regulation purposes a cryptoasset is defined as a “cryptographically secured digital representation of value or contractaul rights that uses a form of distributed ledger technology, and can be transferred, stored of traded electronically”); and
2. the particular role that the business plays, and interactions that the business manages (i.e. if it provides services of exchanges or custody of cryptoassets).

In summary, UK business providing the services of exchange or custody of a cryptoasset will be subject to the 2019 AML regulations and will be regulated for AML purposes. The 2019 AML regulations appoint the FCA as the supervisor of cryptoasset businesses for AML purposes, and businesses in scope will need to register with the FCA as well as comply with all regulatory requirements.

Are there any other issues to consider?

Firms will additionally need to consider myriad other issues, including (but not limited to) the rules and regulations relating to data protection, intellectual property and consumer advertising.  Firms are recommended to seek expert legal advice before determining which issues arise and how to tackle them.

What about the regulation of specific types of cryptoassets?

Bitcoin, Ethereum and other exchange tokens

Bitcoin and Ethereum are presently classed as exchange tokens in the UK, and consequently, they are currently unregulated.

However, a business providing the services of exchanges or custody of certain cryptoassets (including bitcoin and ethereum) will be subject to the 2019 AML regulations and, as such, would need to comply with the 2019 AML regulations, including applying for FCA registration and supervision.

Non-fungible tokens

Gherson’s criminal litigation, regulatory and investigations team have previously written a blog entitled “Non-fungible token (NFT) Regulation in the UK”.

Depending on its specific characteristics, an NFT could fall within the regulatory perimeter and be regulated by the FCA. In order to determine this, a careful examination of the characteristics of the NFT will need to be undertaken. 

In addition, there is certainly the potential that a business with exposure to NFTs could be in scope of the 2019 AML regulations and, as such, it would need to comply with the 2019 AML regulations, including applying for FCA registration and supervision.

Stablecoins

Gherson’s criminal litigation, regulatory and investigations team have previously written a blog entitled Stablecoin regulation in the UK.  The regulation of stablecoins will again depend on their characteristics. 

However, the proposed Financial Services and Markets Bill sets out provisions to enable specific forms of stablecoins to be regulated as forms of payment in the UK. The Bill also requires issuers of specific forms of stablecoins to apply for registration with the FCA.   

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s white-collar crime and regulatory team are able to provide advice and assistance with AML, regulatory and sanctions compliance, including in situations involving cryptoassets. 

Additionally, the team has recently started a series on the regulation of crypto, with the aim of advising those who work in the compliance of this sector.  Moreover, for those who would like advice on relevant issues, including those who have had issues with the FCA registration process, our specialist regulatory and compliance team can guide individuals and companies through the process.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2022

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