Blockchain.com has finally received authorization from the FCA to operate in the UK. However, this comes four years after the company withdrew its application in March 2022.
Blockchain.com’s registration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) solidifies its presence in the UK and allows it to operate regulated cryptocurrency custody and asset services through BC Operations. Rather than a relaunch, the move is interpreted by the industry as a formal re-entry, given that the company maintained strong operational ties with the country during years of heightened regulatory uncertainty.
During that period, the company continued to provide compliant services using its European license while monitoring the evolving British regulatory landscape. According to the company, this strategy allowed it to maintain operational continuity without taking on excessive regulatory risks in a still-developing environment.
In this context, Blockchain.com confirmed its intention to move towards full authorization when the FCA opens the so-called “authorization gateway,” expected by the end of 2026. The company clarified that the current registration is an intermediate step within a broader regulatory roadmap.
Next steps for Blockchain.com within the FCA regulatory framework
Blockchain.com’s return follows a strategic shift initiated after 2022, when the company withdrew its FCA application due to delays and a high rejection rate. From then on, it focused its efforts on Europe, where it obtained a license in 2025 under the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime, enabling it to operate throughout the European Economic Area.
At the same time, the UK regulatory environment began to show signs of easing. The FCA reported that in 2023 it rejected, denied, or withdrew 86% of crypto applications, but from April 2025 onward, acceptance rates increased to around 45%, and assessment times were reduced from approximately 17 months to just over five.
This change of pace allowed several major companies to resume registration processes and was a key factor in Blockchain.com’s decision to actively re-engage with the UK regulator. The company now plans to apply for full authorization in 2026 and obtain comprehensive approval under the permanent regime, which will come into effect on October 25, 2027.
For the market, registration reduces regulatory uncertainty for UK users and institutional investors linked to Blockchain.com.
