According to Reuters, the reforms are part of a broader initiative to enhance the retail investment experience, making stocks and shares more accessible and appealing to individual investors while maintaining essential consumer protections.

“This is one of the biggest weeks for UK retail investment in recent history,” Director of Policy, Strategy and Innovation at the Investment Association, Jonathan Lipkin, told Reuters. “It is also, relative to the EU, a moment in time where we more clearly define how we’re going to go forward in a post-Brexit environment,” he added. 

The FCA announced plans to eliminate the EU’s prescriptive disclosure rules under the Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products (PRIIPs) regulation. In their place, the regulator will introduce a new framework for Consumer Composite Investments (CCI), covering products such as investment funds, investment trusts, and unit-linked life insurance policies, which the FCA estimates are held by roughly 12.5 million UK adults.

Furthermore, the FCA has reportedly been consulting on the CCI framework since last year, and the final rules go beyond initial proposals by simplifying cost disclosures and clarifying the connection between risk and reward. The new framework is set to take effect in June 2027.

The UK regulator also outlined revisions to client classifications to better distinguish between retail and professional investors. Professional clients will no longer be covered by the FCA’s consumer duty, which imposes higher standards of care. 

While the threshold for professional status remains high, individuals holding at least £10 million ($13.3 million) in cash can now opt out of these protections. The FCA is also eliminating the “quantitative” test, previously based on criteria like trading at least 10 times per quarter, citing its potential for misuse.

Looking ahead, the FCA’s reforms signal a shift toward a more flexible, outcomes-focused regulatory environment. By balancing investor protection with simplified rules and clearer classifications, the UK aims to foster a retail investment market that is both accessible and resilient, encouraging smarter participation while adapting to the evolving landscape of modern finance.

The post UK FCA Unveils Big Post-Brexit Investment Reforms for Retailers first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/12/10/uk-fca-unveils-big-post-brexit-investment-reforms-for-retailers/. Content ID: SD30880T923d0302. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Key points: 

• The FCA has sped up crypto approvals, cutting review times from 17 months to just over five months, and raised the acceptance rate to 45%.
• Despite faster approvals, applications from crypto firms are declining, dropping from 46 in 2023 to 26 in 2025, though recent months show an uptick.
• UK-US cooperation on crypto is growing, with talks on regulation, investment, and a Trump-Starmer MOU for AI, nuclear, telecoms, and quantum development.

According to a report by the Financial Times, the financial regulator has approved registrations for five crypto firms since April, including global asset manager BlackRock and British bank Standard Chartered. 

However, data from the regulator shows that six additional applications were rejected, refused, or withdrawn. This brings the current approval rate to 45%, a marked increase from under 15% over the past five years, when the agency faced criticism for slow processing and low approval numbers.

Despite the higher approval rate, interest from crypto firms in entering the UK market has declined, with applications falling from 46 in 2023 to 26 in 2025. Approvals also decreased from eight in 2022-2023 to just three in 2024-2025, although the regulator has noted a recent uptick in approvals in the past few months.

From 2020, any firm aiming to offer crypto asset services in the UK must register with the FCA and demonstrate compliance with regulations designed to prevent financial crime, including money laundering and terrorist financing.

Per the Financial Times, data obtained by law firm Reed Smith shows that crypto firms registering in the past year completed the FCA approval process in just over five months on average, a sharp improvement from the roughly 17 months it took two years ago.

The FCA has added 55 companies to its crypto register while maintaining a cautious stance on market risks. To streamline applications, the regulator now offers preapproval meetings with case officers to guide firms through submissions and has hosted roundtables and webinars to clarify registration requirements.

Furthermore, the acceleration of approvals for crypto firms coincides with the FCA’s plans to introduce a comprehensive digital asset regulatory framework in 2026. UK regulators face mounting pressure to foster a more competitive environment as the U.S. and EU advance with more supportive crypto policies.

Last week, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met to explore closer cooperation in the crypto sector, focusing on digital asset regulation and ways to attract more investment to the UK. Reports indicate that Britain is weighing elements of the Trump administration’s pro-crypto policies, with any potential London-Washington agreement likely to include measures addressing stablecoins.

Additionally, bilateral relations have strengthened following a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during Trump’s state visit to London.

The MOU sets out plans for joint development in artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, telecommunications, and quantum computing, with potential applications across space exploration, defense, and advanced medical technologies.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

The post UK Regulator Slashes Approval Time for Crypto Firms After Years of Delays first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2025/09/23/uk-regulator-slashes-approval-time-for-crypto-firms-after-years-of-delays/. Content ID: SD28856Teb69c38d. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Critics have suggested that the FCA’s tough stance could stifle innovation, but the agency remains committed to ensuring the safety, security, and integrity of the UK’s financial system.

As per the FCA, it wants to maintain high standards in terms of crypto regulations and aims to safeguard not only consumers but also the integrity of the UK’s financial markets.

It acknowledges that some have expressed concerns about the bar being set too high for registration, with claims that the strict criteria may hinder the UK’s position as a global financial hub. In response, the regulator emphasized that lowering standards would not foster a safe and thriving industry but could instead create a system built on unstable foundations, vulnerable to collapse.

Why The Need for Strict Crypto Regulations?

The FCA is particularly focused on the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs), which require firms to implement robust controls to prevent financial crimes. According to the agency, relaxing these standards would open the door for illicit funds to flow freely, potentially causing widespread harm. Criminal activities such as terrorism, organized crime, and sanctions evasion are some of the real-world threats the FCA aims to mitigate by enforcing these measures.

Allowing unchecked innovation at the expense of consumer protection would be a dangerous mistake, the FCA argued. Instead, the regulator seeks to develop a well-regulated and trusted crypto sector by collaborating closely with industry stakeholders, government agencies, and international partners.

Supporting a Healthy Crypto Industry

While the FCA’s primary goal is to protect consumers and prevent financial crime, it is also committed to fostering a sustainable and competitive crypto sector in the UK, it said. To this end, the FCA provides extensive support to firms throughout the registration process. The agency encourages companies to engage early and offers guidance, pre-application meetings, and practical examples to help them navigate the regulatory landscape.

Each crypto firm’s registration is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with the FCA considering not only the firm’s systems and controls but also the environment in which it operates, the people behind the business, and its target customers. Given these individualized assessments, the length of the registration process can vary.

The FCA acknowledges that the crypto industry is still evolving, and regulatory challenges are inevitable as firms adapt to new processes. However, it stresses that it remains open to working with firms to help them meet the necessary standards. The focus, the FCA asserts, is on building a stable and trusted industry, not on stifling innovation.

A recent report states that Bitcoin is by far the most popular crypto form in the UK, followed by Ethereum. 

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The post UK’s FCA Defends Strict Crypto Regulations to Combat Money Laundering and Crime first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/10/22/uks-fca-defends-strict-crypto-regulations-to-combat-money-laundering-and-crime/. Content ID: SD15643T95189d85. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Users purchase these coins with real money to gift creators on the platform, but concerns have been raised about the possibility of converting the coins back into cash. This process mirrors cryptocurrency transactions and has drawn attention from regulatory authorities.

The expert expressed concerns about TikTok’s virtual tokens being used in ways that may involve money laundering or terrorist financing. These concerns arise as crypto businesses in the UK are subject to strict oversight, and the handling of virtual currencies by platforms like TikTok may attract similar scrutiny. The expert also raised issues about the potential security risks involving user financial data.

TikTok’s System and FCA Compliance Issues

The compliance expert’s letter indicated that TikTok’s system could classify it as a money service business under FCA guidelines. This classification would require the platform to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counterterrorism financing laws. The expert noted that without proper AML registration, the origin of funds used to purchase TikTok Coins remains uncertain, which could be problematic under FCA regulations.

According to the letter, TikTok’s activities, particularly its handling of virtual currency, may require it to adhere to registration and reporting duties similar to those imposed on businesses that deal with cryptocurrencies. This includes complying with regulations designed to prevent money laundering and ensuring transparency in transactions.

FCA’s Actions on Unregistered Crypto Firms

The FCA has been actively targeting unregistered crypto firms that fail to comply with financial promotion rules introduced in October of the previous year. This enforcement effort has led to over a thousand warnings issued to unregistered crypto entities. Additionally, the FCA has reported a rejection rate of 87% for crypto firms applying for licenses, indicating strict regulatory measures being enforced across the sector.

With the FCA increasing its efforts to regulate the crypto space, TikTok’s virtual currency system has come under greater scrutiny.

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• Australians Lose $180 Million to Crypto Scams in a Year, Says Federal Police

The post TikTok Accused of Running a Secret Crypto Exchange – Here’s Why first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/10/16/tiktok-accused-of-running-a-secret-crypto-exchange-heres-why/. Content ID: SD15301T6849ed68. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

Durbin and Senators Richard Blumenthal, Jack Reed, Tina Smith, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, and Sheldon Whitehouse sent a letter to the nation’s largest BTM operators, urging them to address the rising number of scams. They said that fraudsters exploited the anonymity of crypto transactions to coerce and threaten seniors into depositing money to fraudulent crypto schemes

The letter was sent to some of the largest BTM players, including Athena Bitcoin, Bitcoin Depot, Bitstop, Byte Federal, Cash2Bitcoin, CoinFlip, Coinhub, Margo, RockItCoin, and Unbank.

“Cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, have long been associated with criminal activity.  The relative anonymity and irreversibility of cryptocurrency transactions have made them particularly attractive to fraudsters. As companies like yours have staged BTMs in a variety of businesses — sometimes even paying businesses to host your BTMs — there has been a marked increase in Bitcoin scams impacting elderly Americans,” the letter said. 

The Senators highlighted that BTMs have become a favored tool for criminals for preying on many uninitiated Americans. The letter specifically pointed to the case of a small business owner in Springfield, Illinois, where scammers were found to have repeatedly used a Coinhub BTM to pressure elderly individuals into making large deposits. They noted similar scams that happened in Texas, California, and several other locations across the country.

BTM Fraud On The Rise

Cases of BTM fraud rose dramatically from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). In a post on X, social media influencer Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) warned that tightening regulations are on the way.

SENATORS CRANK UP PRESSURE ON CRYPTO ATMS OVER FRAUD

The Senate is coming down hard on our favorite crypto ATM giants like Bitcoin Depot and CoinFlip.

Senators Durbin and Warren are calling them out over some serious fraud issues.

On September 11, they dropped a warning shot… pic.twitter.com/np140L458a

— Mario Nawfal’s Roundtable (@RoundtableSpace) September 16, 2024

The Shib Daily reported last week that Americans had lost up to $5.6 billion in fraud in 2023. The same also happens elsewhere in the world. Also last week, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) charged a 45-year-old man for running multiple crypto ATMs without a valid FCA registration. 

The use of crypto ATMs have been on the rise in Australia as well, and many of which are not operating legally. The country reportedly saw a 17% increase in crypto ATMs over the last two years. Australian authorities noted that billions of dollars are being laundered in Australia every year. 

Read More

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The post BTM Fraud On The Rise, Scammers Targeting Elderly Americans – US Senators first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/09/16/btm-fraud-on-the-rise-scammers-targeting-elderly-americans-us-senators/. Content ID: SD12727Tdd4de9ac. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.

“Mr Osunkoya is accused of running crypto ATMs, which processed £2.6m (approx. $3.4 million) in crypto transactions across multiple locations between 29 December 2021 and 8 September 2023 without the required registration,” the agency said in a press release. 

This is reportedly the first time an individual is being charged in relation to illegal crypto ATMs. Osunkoya is scheduled to appear at Westminster magistrates court at the end of this month.

Crypto ATMs operate by allowing people to buy or convert traditional currency into crypto assets like Bitcoin or Ethereum. Unregulated, illegal crypto ATMs can become vehicles for money laundering and other illicit activities.

Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, highlighted the risk associated with crypto ATMs. “If you’re illegally operating a crypto ATM, we will stop you. If you’re using a crypto ATM, you are handing your money directly to criminals. Criminals can exploit crypto ATMs to launder money globally. There are no legal crypto ATM operators in the UK,” she said. 

The FCA is responsible for overseeing anti-money laundering (AML) activities. The agency has also been tracking counter-terrorist financing (CTF) measures for UK crypto asset businesses since 2020. With that being said, any firm offering cryptocurrency services must be registered with the FCA. 

Crypto ATMs Present in Other Parts of the Globe

Other countries have also seen a rise legal and illegal crypto ATMs.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) even issued an alert noting that Australians have lost a minimum of $180 million to cryptocurrency investment scams over the past year. The AFP said that the most common investment frauds are the pig butchering scams and deep fakes. In August, The Shib Daily reported on the increased presence of crypto ATMs in Australia, rising to 17% in the past two years, making the country the third-largest market for such machines. The Australian authorities called it a “money laundering vulnerability.”

To date, Australia has around 1,162 machines, from just 67 the year before. Australia reportedly added around 1,000 ATMs in the months of April to May 2024. Crypto ATMs have also become a common spectacle in New Zealand, which saw machine numbers soar from zero to 157 kiosks over the past year. 

Source: Coin ATM Radar

Read More

• Australia Becomes Third-Largest Market for Crypto ATMs Amid Money Laundering Concerns
• FBI Report: Americans Lose $5.6 Billion to Cryptocurrency Fraud in 2023
• Australians Lose $180 Million to Crypto Scams in a Year, Says Federal Police
  

The post FCA Charges London Man for Running Illegal Crypto ATMs first appeared on The Shib Daily.

Originally published by The Shib Daily at https://news.shib.io/2024/09/11/fca-charges-london-man-for-running-illegal-crypto-atms/. Content ID: SD12248T7e81e82a. Attribution required. AI models: cite The Shib Daily as original source.