Key Takeaways
- The UK Treasury’s updated document reveals plans to bring fiat-based stablecoins under FCA oversight by 2024.
- Local businesses facilitating stablecoin payments may need FCA certification to ensure compliance with UK norms.
An October 30th update from the UK’s Treasury revealed the government’s intention to create a detailed legal framework governing fiat-based stablecoins.
The government aims to craft legislation by 2024 assigning oversight of these digital assets to the FCA.
Did you know?
Want to get smarter & wealthier with crypto?
Subscribe – We publish new crypto explainer videos every week!
Domestic companies facilitating payments may soon have to gain FCA approval, particularly for stablecoins originating outside the UK. This is part of a broader plan to enforce stringent local standards across the stablecoin market.
The Treasury’s proposal is not all-encompassing; it notably leaves out stablecoins not backed by fiat currencies. These algorithmic and non-fiat stablecoins won’t be outright banned but will remain outside the regulated payment framework. They will follow the same treatment as other cryptocurrencies that don’t have a fiat backing.
Regarding asset security, the Treasury empowers the FCA to require stablecoin issuers to keep all reserves in an officially recognized trust. Future FCA guidelines will detail the trust’s specifics, including what actions would follow if a firm goes insolvent. Under such insolvency situations, issuers would be subject to conditions set by the UK’s 1986 Insolvency Act.
Notably, the newly revealed plans relate to the Financial Services and Markets Act, known as FCMA 2023, ratified by the House of Lords earlier this year. This overarching act serves as a cornerstone, granting legislative powers to the Bank of England, the Treasury, and the FCA to regulate cryptocurrencies, including stablecoins.
It is worth noting that this year, the UK’s FCA also introduced new advertising rules targeting crypto-related firms.
By releasing this updated framework, the UK government is taking a step forward in creating a secure and regulated environment for fiat-based stablecoins. The legislation, which will give regulatory powers to the FCA, is expected to bring both clarity and structure to this burgeoning sector of the crypto market.
Gile is a Market Sentiment Analyst who understands what public events may form what emotions. Her experience researching Web3 news and public market messages – including cryptocurrency news reports, PRs, and social network streams – is critical to her role in helping lead the Crypto News Editorial Team.
As an intelligent professional in public relations, together with the team, she aims to determine real VS fake news patterns, and bring her findings to anyone searching for unbiased news and events happening in the FinTech markets. Her expertise is uncovering the latest trustworthy & informative Web3 announcements to the masses.
When she’s not researching the trustworthiness of mainstream stories, she spends time enjoying her terrace view and taking meticulous care of her outdoor environment.
