• The UK will introduce unified crypto regulations, including stablecoins, in early 2025.
• New rules aim to simplify oversight and avoid restrictive staking classifications.
• Labour government aims to compete with EU’s MiCA rules and US pro-crypto policies.

The United Kingdom is set to introduce a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and crypto staking services in early 2025, marking a pivotal shift in its approach to digital assets.

The announcement was made by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury Tulip Siddiq at City & Financial Global’s Tokenisation Summit in London on November 21.

Initially slated for December 2024, the regulatory rollout was delayed due to the change in government following the election of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour administration in July 2024.

The upcoming UK crypto regulatory framework

The upcoming framework consolidates regulations for crypto assets into a single, overarching regime, a decision Siddiq described as “simpler and more logical.”

The framework aims to provide clarity in a rapidly growing sector that has faced uncertainty in the UK.

Stablecoins will receive distinct treatment under these regulations, as their functionality does not align with existing payment services rules.

Siddiq highlighted that staking services would also avoid being designated as “collective investment schemes,” a classification that could impose burdensome restrictions.

UK aims to align with the global crypto regulatory landscape

The UK government’s renewed focus on digital asset regulation comes as it seeks to align with global developments. The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulations will be fully enforced by the end of 2024, offering regulatory certainty that has positioned Europe as an attractive market for the crypto industry.

Meanwhile, the US, under President Donald Trump’s administration, has adopted a markedly pro-crypto stance, including the establishment of a White House “crypto czar” and SEC Chair Gary Gensler’s planned departure in January 2024.

The Labour government has shown its intent to catch up with international competition. In September 2024, it introduced a bill recognizing NFTs, cryptocurrencies, and carbon credits as property.

The new regulatory push reflects the UK’s ambition to regain credibility as a crypto hub while addressing criticisms of the Financial Conduct Authority’s perceived stringent oversight.

By delivering a robust, streamlined framework, the Labour government aims to bolster the UK’s standing in the multibillion-dollar crypto industry.

In a recent development, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced that Gary Gensler will step down from his position next year. This follows calls for Gensler to resign since Donald Trump won the US presidential elections.

Gary Gensler To Step Down As US SEC Chair

The US SEC announced in a press release that Gary Gensler will depart the Agency on January 20, 2025. The US SEC Chair also confirmed this development in an X post. Interestingly, this comes on the same day that Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States.

Following the announcement, Gensler also used the opportunity to reflect on his time at the Commission. He remarked that it has been an “honor of a lifetime” to serve alongside those at the SEC. He also thanked President Biden for the opportunity to serve in the position. Gensler has been the US SEC Chair since April 2021. During his time, he has spearheaded several litigations against the crypto industry.

This includes the long-running legal battle with Ripple, which Gensler took over from his predecessor Jay Clayton, which bordered on whether XRP was a security. Up till now, the Agency continues to reiterate this ‘digital asset securities’ claim.

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Boluwatife Adeyemi

Boluwatife Adeyemi is a well-experienced crypto news writer and editor who has covered topics that cut across DeFi, NFTs, smart contracts, and blockchain interoperability, among others. Boluwatife has a knack for simplifying the most technical concepts and making it easy for crypto newbies to understand. Away from writing, He is an avid basketball lover and a part-time degen.

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