UK regulations will allow FCA to consult on stablecoins and reclassify staking to avoid heavy regulation as investment schemes.
The UK government is planning to introduce new crypto regulations this month to reassure businesses and compete with a Donald Trump-led US that is attracting crypto firms with its clear stance on the sector.
According to a Bloomberg report, the UK Treasury is set to unveil two pieces of legislation focused on stablecoins and staking services, which crypto companies hope will offer more clarity and flexibility.
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like the US dollar. The UK’s new regulations will allow the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to consult with the industry on stablecoin rules.
Additionally, staking, a process where investors lock up tokens and earn rewards, will be reclassified. This reclassification will prevent it from being labeled as a collective investment scheme, which would subject it to heavier regulation.
This push for crypto regulation comes at a time when the US, under Trump’s potential leadership, is positioning itself as a global crypto hub. Trump has promised to create a Bitcoin reserve and ensure all future Bitcoin is mined in the US, which could tempt UK-based crypto startups to relocate.
The UK government had planned to introduce these regulations earlier, but delays from political changes have pushed the timeline back. The UK faces competition from the European Union, which is set to implement its own comprehensive crypto regulations soon.
To maintain its position as a crypto-friendly nation, the UK must act quickly. Industry leaders, including Laura Navaratnam from the Crypto Council for Innovation, stress that the UK still has an opportunity to lead but must mobilize soon.
With the crypto market evolving rapidly, clear and forward-thinking regulations will be key to attracting and retaining businesses in the UK.