FCA opens UK crypto authorisation applications with Feb. 28, 2027 deadline
The FCA opened applications on Sept. 30, 2026 for UK crypto firms to seek authorisation, with a Feb. 28, 2027 deadline, ahead of the regime due to start Oct. 25, 2027.
Why it matters
Firms that miss the Feb. 28, 2027 date can end up limited to serving pre-existing contracts once the regime begins, Crypto.News reported. Opening the gateway confers nothing: firms that cannot show they meet the four standards will not be authorised to conduct regulated cryptoasset activities in the UK, Finance Magnates Crypto reported.
Where the sources disagree
Whether existing money laundering registration helps a firm
more than 60 companies already registered under the FCA's anti-money laundering regime may have a head start
CoinDesk
MLR registration will not carry over and existing registration does not convert into authorisation
Crypto.News, Cointelegraph, Crypto.News
CoinDesk said registered companies may have a head start, while Crypto.News, Cointelegraph and CryptoNews.net said money laundering registration does not carry over into authorisation.
When the EU's crypto regime began applying
Markets in Crypto Asset Regulation came into force in June 2023
CoinDesk
the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation has applied to service providers since 30 December 2024
Bitcoin Magazine
CoinDesk cited MiCA coming into force in June 2023, while Bitcoin Magazine said the regulation has applied to service providers since 30 December 2024.
Key facts
The Financial Conduct Authority opened its crypto authorisation gateway at 7 a.m. UK time on Sept. 30, 2026.
Disputed figureReported by Crypto.News
Crypto firms that intend to keep operating in the UK must apply by Feb. 28, 2027.
Reported by Crypto.News
The new cryptoasset regime is due to take effect on Oct. 25, 2027.
Reported by Crypto.News
Firms that apply within the window and have no decision by the regime start date can keep serving customers and taking on new business.
Reported by Crypto.News
Applicants are judged on consumer protection, safeguarding customer assets, market integrity and financial resilience, and firms that fall short will not be authorised.
Reported by Crypto.News
Registration under the Money Laundering Regulations does not convert into FCA authorisation.
Disputed figureReported by Crypto.News
CoinDesk reported that more than 60 companies already registered under the FCA's anti-money laundering regime may have a head start in meeting the new licensing requirements.
60Disputed figureReported by CoinDesk
CryptoNews.net reported that Parliament expanded the FCA's regulatory perimeter in February 2026 to cover stablecoin issuance, custody, trading platforms, dealing and arranging, and staking, and that the FCA published its final framework in June after consulting through 2025 and early 2026.
Reported by Crypto News (CryptoNews.net)
What happened
The UK's Financial Conduct Authority began accepting crypto authorisation applications on Sept. 30, 2026, opening what it calls an authorisation gateway, with Feb. 28, 2027 set as the deadline for firms that intend to keep operating in the country and the regime itself due to take effect on Oct. 25, 2027. Crypto.News reported the gateway opened at 7 a.m. UK time and that a firm still awaiting a decision at the regime start date may be restricted to pre-existing contracts, while Bitcoin.com, Unchained and The Defiant reported that firms which apply within the window can keep serving customers and taking new business while their applications are undecided. Applicants are assessed in four areas — consumer protection, safeguarding customer assets, market integrity and financial resilience — and firms that fall short will not be authorised, Unchained and Finance Magnates Crypto reported. Money laundering registration does not convert into authorisation under the 2000 financial services act, Crypto.News and Cointelegraph reported, a point Emma Banymandhub, CEO of The Payments Association, made in comments to Cointelegraph, urging firms already registered under the money laundering rules to treat this as a fresh process and be realistic about the standards required. Dominic Cashman, the FCA's director of authorisation, said the regime gives consumers greater protections and firms a clear framework to operate in and that firms can now apply and start preparing. CoinDesk, the only outlet to put a number on the existing registered base, reported that more than 60 companies registered under the FCA's anti-money laundering regime may have a head start, and it dated the earliest UK legislative work to 2022, while CryptoNews.net dated Parliament's expansion of the FCA's perimeter to February 2026 and Bitcoin Magazine pointed to a 2023 Law Commission recommendation.
How the story developed
- First report
First report by Crypto.News
The UK’s crypto licensing window opens Wednesday. The hard part starts now
- Update
Main application window closes
The deadline set for firms that want their applications decided before the regime starts.
- Official statement
Dominic Cashman says firms can apply and start preparing
The FCA's director of authorisation said the regime gives consumers greater protections and firms a clear framework to operate in.
- Update
Emma Banymandhub urges money laundering registrants to expect a fresh process
The CEO of The Payments Association told Cointelegraph that MLR registration will not carry over and that firms should be realistic about the standards they must meet; she said implementation matters most for smaller and growing businesses.
- Official statement
FCA opens its crypto authorisation gateway
Applications opened at 7 a.m. UK time on Sept. 30, 2026, according to Crypto.News, and were confirmed by Cointelegraph, CoinDesk, Bitcoin.com, Finance Magnates Crypto, Unchained and The Defiant on the same day.
- Official statement
Parliament expands the FCA's regulatory perimeter to cover crypto activities
CryptoNews.net reported the expansion covered stablecoin issuance, custody, trading platforms, dealing and arranging, and staking.
- Official statement
FCA publishes final crypto rules and guidance
Cointelegraph, CryptoNews.net, Unchained and Bitcoin Magazine all dated the final framework to June 2026.
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Cointelegraph
FCA opens crypto authorization window ahead of 2027 UK regime
- Official statement
Official statement from Bitcoin.com News
FCA Opens UK Crypto Gates More Than a Year Before Rules Hit
- Mainstream pickup
Picked up by mainstream media (Finance Magnates Crypto)
FCA Opens Five-Month Authorisation Window for UK Crypto Firms
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 28 Sept 2026, 10:45 UTC: Crypto.News — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 12:00 UTC: Crypto News (CryptoNews.net) — 2 independent sources, 2 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 12:06 UTC: Cointelegraph — 3 independent sources, 3 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 13:00 UTC: NewsBTC — 4 independent sources, 4 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 14:04 UTC: CoinDesk — 5 independent sources, 5 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 14:45 UTC: Bitcoin.com News, official — 6 independent sources, 7 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 15:00 UTC: Finance Magnates Crypto, Mainstream media — 7 independent sources, 8 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 15:04 UTC: Bitcoin Insider — 8 independent sources, 10 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 15:48 UTC: Unchained — 9 independent sources, 11 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 17:20 UTC: CryptoSlate — 10 independent sources, 12 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 19:27 UTC: The Defiant — 11 independent sources, 13 reports
- 30 Sept 2026, 20:14 UTC: Bitcoin Magazine — 12 independent sources, 14 reports
Affected entities
Also mentioned: Donald Trump, European Union, Robinhood, Chainlink
Original sources
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