FCA approval lets the exchange expand beyond crypto in the UK as it pushes an “Everything Exchange” model combining payments, savings, stock trading and crypto derivatives.
Coinbase has received UK investment services authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, or MiFID, giving it permission to expand beyond crypto into regulated financial instruments including equities and derivatives. The licence, issued by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA, UK financial regulator), adds to Coinbase’s existing UK Electronic Money Institution licence and crypto registration, broadening the company’s ability to offer multiple financial services under one platform. The company said the approval marks its biggest UK product expansion since entering the market and advances its “Everything Exchange” strategy. Under that plan, advanced traders are set to gain access to perpetual futures (derivatives with no expiry) tied to crypto, equities and commodities, while retail users will be able to trade equities. Coinbase also said UK users will have access to stablecoin payments, savings, borrowing, crypto, derivatives and equities, with tokenised real-world assets planned. Coinbase framed the UK as an early test case for a single-login platform that could replace the mix of banking apps, brokerage accounts, savings products and crypto wallets many investors use today. It said FCA research found about 7 million UK adults already hold crypto, while a quarter of non-holders would be more likely to participate if the sector were properly regulated. Coinbase pointed to October 2027, when the UK’s full crypto regime is expected to take effect, saying the latest approval gives it room to expand ahead of those rules. The company said the long-term impact will depend on execution, adoption and the final regulatory framework.