Regulated Activities

Definition ∞ Regulated activities are financial services or operations that are subject to specific legal oversight and authorization. These typically include activities such as advising on investments, operating an exchange, managing funds, or issuing certain financial instruments. Entities performing these functions must comply with licensing requirements, capital adequacy rules, and conduct standards set by supervisory authorities. In the digital asset sector, determining which crypto-related operations fall under existing regulations is a continuous process.
Context ∞ The classification of digital asset operations as regulated activities is a central and evolving challenge for jurisdictions worldwide. Debates concern whether existing financial laws adequately cover crypto exchanges, stablecoin issuers, and decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols. Future policy efforts will likely clarify the scope of regulated activities within the digital asset market, potentially introducing new categories of licenses and specific supervisory regimes for crypto businesses.

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→Regulated Activities

→Systemic Risk

→Digital Asset Regulation

FCA Mandates Crypto Custody Segregation and Minimum Capital Requirements

UK regulators mandate client asset segregation and introduce minimum capital thresholds, fundamentally restructuring operational risk for digital asset custodians.

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→Crypto Trading Platform

→FSMA Extension

→Financial Services Perimeter

HM Treasury Finalizes Draft Law Mandating Full UK Crypto Authorization

The UK government's near-final legislation mandates full FCA authorization for six new crypto activities, fundamentally raising the regulatory bar.

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→Cross-Border Cooperation

→Operational Resilience

→Anti-Money Laundering

UK Treasury Finalizes Legislation Integrating Crypto Assets into Financial Services Law

The UK's near-final Cryptoassets Order mandates full FCA authorization for consumer-facing activities, fundamentally redefining VASP compliance architecture.

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→Compliance Standards

→DLT Innovation

→Regulated Activities

UK Government Integrates Crypto Trading, Custody, and Issuance into Financial Law

Firms must now update compliance frameworks to meet new UK standards for operational resilience, custody, and stablecoin reserve management.

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→Financial Stability Rules

→Single Market Access

→Transitional Period

EU MiCA Regulation Fully Implements Mandatory Crypto Asset Service Provider Licensing

The full application of MiCA mandates a unified CASP authorization framework, fundamentally restructuring EU market access and operational compliance.

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→Systemic Risk Mitigation

→Cross-Border Services

→Operational Requirements

UK Government Defines New Crypto Regulated Activities under Financial Services Law

The UK's legislative action formalizes the regulatory perimeter, mandating licensing for core digital asset operations by late 2026.

→UK Financial Services

→Crypto Asset Custody

→Prudential Requirements

HM Treasury Integrates Crypto Assets into Core UK Financial Services Law

The UK's new Draft Order mandates full FSMA compliance, compelling CASPs to immediately align operational and capital structures with traditional finance standards.

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→Market Abuse

→Trading Platform

→Risk Mitigation

UK Financial Conduct Authority Proposes Applying Core Handbook Rules to Crypto Firms

The FCA's consultation integrates digital asset service providers into the full regulatory perimeter, mandating alignment with Principles of Business and Consumer Duty standards.