FCA opens UK crypto authorisation gateway on September 30, 2026

2 min

The UK is moving from crypto anti-money-laundering registration to full financial authorisation. The FCA opens its cryptoasset regime application gateway on September 30, 2026. The main window runs until February 28, 2027. The new regime takes effect on October 25, 2027, when firms carrying out in-scope activities will need FCA authorisation under the Financial Services and Markets Act.

TL;DR

FCA application gateway opens: September 30, 2026
Main application window closes: February 28, 2027
New regime starts: October 25, 2027

Registration Is Becoming Authorisation

Current UK crypto oversight relies largely on the FCA’s anti-money-laundering registration. The incoming framework brings more crypto activities into the standard Financial Services and Markets Act structure. Firms will be assessed and supervised as authorised financial businesses rather than appearing only on an AML register.

The FCA has asked firms to prepare and is offering pre-application support. Established exchanges and custodians need to evidence governance, financial resources, operational resilience, controls, and senior management responsibilities. Smaller firms face a choice: build compliance capability, restructure services to fall outside the perimeter, or exit the UK market.

Key Dates And Transition

Opening the application gateway does not put the new rules into force. Existing requirements continue until October 25, 2027. September 30, 2026 marks the start of the practical transition: firms move from preparation to submitting applications. Market participants will gain visibility on which businesses intend to operate under the new UK framework over the long term.

Consumers should not expect immediate changes. For companies, regulatory timelines will accelerate once the gateway opens.

Source: UK Financial Conduct Authority — https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/new-regime-cryptoasset-regulation/what-you-need-to-do