The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) opened its crypto authorization gateway on September 30, 2026, ahead of a full regime taking effect on October 25, 2027. Firms seeking to continue operating in the UK must apply by February 28, 2027. Existing Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) registrations will not automatically convert into FCA authorization, and submitting an application does not guarantee approval. Rules finalized in June 2026 cover stablecoin issuance, crypto trading platforms, market abuse, consumer protection, custody of client assets, market integrity and financial resilience. The launch came as the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) called for broader updates to the European Union's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and crypto markets monitored institutional inflows, economic data and token-supply events.