What happened
- Specific facts/numbers: The FCA said the new guidance was published on 16 September 2026, the wider regime comes into force on 25 October 2027, and the authorisation application period is open from 30 September 2026 to 28 February 2027.
- Institutions involved: The Financial Conduct Authority is the issuing regulator, and the guidance is aimed at cryptoasset firms whose activities may fall within the UK’s future authorisation regime.
- Regulatory/technical context: The guidance explains how the law underpinning the future UK cryptoasset regime applies to firms and clarifies which activities may require FCA authorisation; related FCA materials indicate the regime also sits alongside broader policy statements and handbook requirements for regulated cryptoasset activities.
- What to watch next: Firms will need to assess whether their activities fall within scope and prepare authorisation applications before the application window closes; beyond that, no further specific next milestone was identified in the material read.
Why it matters
Crypto firms serving the UK market now have clearer perimeter guidance on whether they will need FCA authorisation, which affects compliance planning, operating models, and market-entry timelines.
HKMA Relevance
Indirect: The UK’s emerging crypto perimeter rules may influence how internationally active crypto firms, including those with Asia or Hong Kong links, structure compliance across multiple jurisdictions.