The UK Financial Conduct Authority will open the licensing channel for cryptocurrency businesses in September 2026.

Techub News reported, according to Cointelegraph, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced that crypto asset service providers (CASPs) can apply to enter the UK market under the crypto licensing regime starting this autumn. The FCA stated: "The application gateway is expected to open in September 2026," adding that the specific timeline will be confirmed in due course. The regulator's licensing gateway will offer a limited application processing window before the new regime formally takes effect, which is scheduled for October 25, 2027.

Under the plan, all companies providing regulated crypto asset services in the UK must obtain authorization under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA). The FCA specifically noted that the authorization requirement covers crypto firms currently registered under the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs) and related payment frameworks. The FCA requires crypto firms to submit their applications within a designated window, which will last for at least 28 days and close no later than 28 days before the new regime takes effect. Applications submitted during this period are expected to be processed before the new rules come into force. The draft legislation includes "transitional provisions" allowing firms to continue operating while their applications are being assessed.