Regulation · Instrument · United Kingdom · Guidance · Financial Conduct Authority
FCA direction: cryptoasset authorisation application period (savings provision)
The FCA's application period for firms seeking authorisation under the new cryptoasset regime. Firms that apply within the window can keep operating after commencement until their application is decided; later applicants fall into a transitional regime that only lets them run off existing contracts.
In force · effective 30 Sep 2026 · part of UK cryptoasset regulatory regime (FSMA cryptoasset activities)
Key points
- The application period opened on 30 September 2026 and closes on 28 February 2027.[1]
- Firms applying in the window may keep providing services after commencement until their application (or any Upper Tribunal reference) is finally determined.[1]
- Firms applying later and not authorised by commencement may only perform contracts made before they entered the transitional provision.[1]
- Firms that do not apply must run off their UK cryptoasset business before commencement.[1]
Timeline
- 30 Sep 2026 · In forceApplication window opens.[1]
- 28 Feb 2027 · Expired · upcomingApplication window closes.[1]
Deployments operating under it
None recorded with a source yet.
Sources
- [1]How the cryptoasset authorisation gateway will operate — Financial Conduct Authority. Accessed 12 Oct 2026.A