After a lengthy regulatory process, Blockchain.com has secured crucial blockchain com fca clearance that cements its position in the UK digital asset market.
Blockchain.com secures UK FCA registration after four-year wait
Blockchain.com has finally obtained full registration from the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, nearly four years after withdrawing its first application in March 2022. The FCA added the company to its official list of licensed crypto firms on Tuesday, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the London-rooted platform.
The new status allows Blockchain.com to operate under the UK's strict anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing rules. However, the company must still comply with the existing crypto licensing regime, which does not yet grant full financial services authorization. That wider framework is expected to be introduced by the end of 2024, setting the stage for a more comprehensive regime.
Scope of the UK authorization and strategic positioning
With the FCA registration, Blockchain.com is now recognized as a licensed crypto service provider under the UK's regulatory system. The company can offer brokerage, custodial, and institutional-grade crypto services nationwide, operating under standards similar to those imposed on traditional banks and investment firms.
CEO Peter Smith underscored the importance of the approval, stressing the firm's British roots and its strategy to remain closely aligned with UK regulators. Moreover, he highlighted Blockchain.com's intention to help shape the country's evolving digital asset framework. In a post shared on X on Tuesday, the company noted it is now held to the same rigorous benchmarks as established financial institutions.
Looking ahead, Blockchain.com plans to apply for a full financial services license once the UK's new regime is rolled out in 2027. The firm sees this step as essential to consolidating its position in the UK and strengthening its presence across wider European markets, building on its existing MiCA license in the European Economic Area.
From MiCA license to broader UK and European expansion
The recent UK approval complements Blockchain.com's earlier regulatory gains in Europe, where its MiCA authorization already enables it to serve customers across the European Economic Area. This combination of licenses should, in practice, support cross-border expansion and more integrated service offerings for institutional and retail clients.
In the UK, the blockchain com fca registration allows the company to scale products including digital asset custody, crypto wallets, and enhanced brokerage solutions. Furthermore, it gives Blockchain.com a stronger foundation to work with local banks and other regulated financial entities that require partners operating under familiar compliance standards.
Regulatory compliance as a core business pillar
Co-founder Nic Cary described the FCA registration as a meaningful step in Blockchain.com's long-running objective to build within established regulatory frameworks. He pointed to the firm's UK talent base and history in London as factors that support its commitment to long-term compliance and institutional-grade infrastructure.
That said, the company will continue navigating a shifting policy landscape as the UK moves from its current crypto-specific rules to a broader licensing structure by 2027. During this transition, Blockchain.com aims to demonstrate that regulated crypto platforms can meet the same expectations for transparency, risk controls, and governance as traditional finance players.
In summary, Blockchain.com's FCA registration, combined with its MiCA license in Europe, significantly strengthens its regulatory footprint and positions the company to expand compliant crypto brokerage, custody, and institutional services across both the UK and the wider EEA.
