British lawmakers are pressing major banks to explain how they treat crypto and digital-asset firms, warning that restricted access to accounts and payment rails could become a major obstacle to growth and weaken the UK's planned regulatory framework. Parliament's Crypto and Digital Assets All-Party Parliamentary Group has asked banks whether they provide accounts to crypto businesses, why applications may be refused, what limits they place on crypto-related payments and whether those policies would change once the new regime becomes mandatory on Oct. 25, 2027. The inquiry, opened on July 21, spans banks, payment firms, fintech companies and crypto businesses, with written submissions open until Aug. 31 and findings due after the review. Research from the UK Cryptoasset Business Council estimated that about 40% of attempted transfers to crypto exchanges were blocked or delayed. HSBC, NatWest, Monzo and Nationwide cap some transfers to crypto platforms, while Starling and Chase UK have prohibited some crypto-related payments, citing fraud and customer-protection concerns. The APPG said banking access could be one of the biggest barriers to growth for UK crypto businesses, while Lord Vaizey described the difficulties as "an unnecessary piece of friction" for firms trying to operate in Britain. The new UK framework is set to cover crypto trading platforms, custodians, intermediaries, stablecoin issuers and certain staking services, with the Financial Conduct Authority due to accept authorization applications from Sept. 30, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027. Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby told Parliament in March that the government "would not expect" FCA-authorized crypto firms to face banking restrictions simply because they belong to the sector.