Blockchain.com secures FCA registration to expand UK crypto services
Blockchain.com says it has been officially registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to operate as a cryptoasset business, a regulatory milestone the company is pitching as a launchpad for broader UK retail and institutional growth.
In the announcement, the firm frames the move as both symbolic and practical: Blockchain.com was founded in the UK, says it started in York and grew in London, and now wants to scale its product footprint inside one of the world’s most closely watched financial markets.
The company says the registration enables it to deliver brokerage, custody, and institutional-grade crypto services in the UK under FCA standards.
What Blockchain.com says comes next in the UK
Blockchain.com positions this registration as a stepping stone, not the finish line. It says it plans to apply for authorization when the UK’s “authorisation gateway” opens later this year, aiming to secure full authorization under the UK’s new permanent regime when it takes effect in 2027.
In terms of what the UK buildout looks like, the company highlights four focus areas:
- Digital asset custody and wallet services for UK customers
- Compliance and treasury tooling for institutions
- Expanded brokerage services aligned with FCA standards
- Stronger partnership potential with regulated financial entities in the UK
The release also notes Blockchain.com’s broader scale claims: since 2011, it says it has processed over $1.2 trillion in crypto transactions and served more than 90 million wallets globally.
Why it matters for crypto
- UK compliance is becoming a competitive moat. FCA registration is a real filter for which firms can credibly scale consumer and institutional crypto services in Britain.
- This is positioning for the UK’s next regime, not just today’s rules. Blockchain.com explicitly ties the registration to preparing for the authorization gateway and the 2027 permanent framework.
- Brokers + custody are where “institutional crypto” gets built. The company’s emphasis on custody, treasury tools, and partnerships with regulated entities points straight at financial institutions, not only retail traders.
- Europe-wide strategy is tightening. The release says the UK milestone follows a MiCA license last year, reflecting a broader push to operate under top-tier regulatory umbrellas.
What to watch next
- Authorization gateway timing and filings. Blockchain.com says it intends to apply when the gateway opens later this year—watch for confirmation that the application is submitted and what permissions it seeks.
- Which UK products roll out first. The company lists custody/wallet services, brokerage expansion, and institutional tooling—watch for the concrete product order and eligibility details.
- Partnership announcements with regulated UK entities. Blockchain.com explicitly tees up more partnership potential; that’s often the quickest way to expand distribution in tightly regulated markets.
- How the UK’s 2027 framework shapes offerings. As policymakers finalize the permanent regime, product scope and compliance requirements may shift—watch the rulemaking cadence.