1. Educate, Inform, and Advocate
We are actively engaged with government offices, MPs and Peers, regulatory bodies, and intergovernmental agencies, serving as a credible source of industry intelligence for those on the regulatory front lines. Our commitment lies in educating policymakers and regulators on the nuances of the crypto industry, connecting them with our members to help shape a regulatory framework that supports the UK's evolving digital economy.
We engage regularly with:
Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Innovate & Innovation Hub
- Strategy & Competition
- Cryptoasset Supervision Team
- Supervision – Investments, Wholesale and Specialists Division
HM Treasury (HMT)
- Economic Crime Unit
- Cryptoassets
- Payments and FinTech
- Financial Services Group
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- Crypto Policy and Advisory
National Crime Agency (NCA)
National Economic Crime Centre (NECC)
- Public Private Partnerships - Strategy
Key Results
As the UK’s first crypto and blockchain industry trade association, CryptoUK has led major policy initiatives since 2017, including contributions to the Kalifa Review, the Crypto Assets Task Force, and Travel Rule legislation. Serving as secretariat for the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG, CryptoUK drives key policy discussions, establishing the UK as a leader in crypto and digital assets.
- UK’s First Crypto Industry Association - Founded in 2017 with 30 members, CryptoUK led the first UK policy campaign for crypto and blockchain. It actively participated in pivotal HM Treasury Select Committee hearings in 2018 and 2022, which led to the establishment of the UK Crypto Assets Task Force, bringing together HM Treasury, the Bank of England, and the Financial Conduct Authority.
- Major Influence on the Kalifa Review - In the landmark Kalifa Review of UK FinTech, CryptoUK contributed a pivotal crypto policy position, advocating for a UK regulatory regime to establish the nation as a global leader in crypto and digital assets. Their recommendations were adopted by the government in April 2022, with Rt Hon. John Glen MP outlining plans to position the UK as a global crypto technology hub.
- Shaped the UK’s Travel Rule Legislation - CryptoUK collaborated with HM Treasury on balanced Travel Rule policies, specifically addressing transactions to non-hosted wallets. Successfully advocating for a risk-based approach to these transfers, CryptoUK achieved a divergence from EU policy, aligning UK legislation with a proportionate stance on crypto regulation.
- Crypto and Digital Assets APPG - Launched in 2021 with CryptoUK as secretariat, the Crypto and Digital Assets All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) achieved significant milestones, including a 2022 crypto inquiry. The findings were presented to Rt Hon. Andrew Griffith MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, during a Westminster Hall debate, marking a key step in shaping UK crypto policy.
Our Working Groups
- Financial Crime - The Financial Crime Working Group aims to address various topics, forming sub-groups for key areas. Key topics include FATF Travel Rule implementation, sanctions compliance, KYC challenges, blockchain alert investigations, DeFi risks, transaction monitoring, and data quality.
- Regulation - The Regulation Working Group addresses regulatory challenges, reviewing sector issues, consultations, and providing policy recommendations. Meanwhile, our regulation sub-groups focus on political frameworks and operational implementation.
- Tax - The Tax Working Group aims to educate HMRC, HMT, the Treasury Select Committee, and the OECD on the complexities of DA taxation. Through sub-groups focused on DAOs, DeFi, and NFTs, it addresses restrictive guidelines that push UK crypto innovation offshore.
- ESG - The ESG Working Group addresses key sustainability, inclusion, and reporting issues in the crypto sector. The group aims to drive industry-wide change by raising ESG awareness, advocating for practical regulation, and highlighting the sector’s positive ESG impact.
2. Educate, Inform, and Advocate
CryptoUK provides a dynamic platform for members to amplify their presence and influence in the digital asset sector. We create valuable opportunities for members to share expertise, connect with audiences, and showcase leadership, whilst fostering meaningful networking and engagement.
- 90+ networking events - Providing speaking and networking opportunities for members through roundtables and in-person events.
- 70+ online events and webinars - A platform to share expertise, engage with audiences, and strengthen your presence in the digital asset sector.
- 60+ interviews and commentary - Offering valuable exposure for CryptoUK and its members, showcasing leadership in the crypto industry.
- 700+ pieces of coverage - Enhancing visibility for CryptoUK and its members, highlighting our contributions within the crypto industry.
Recent Events
- Member networking event for 80+ attendees - Hosted a panel discussion entitled "A New Era? Exploring the Labour government’s influence on the growth, adoption and regulation of digital assets in the UK", featuring Mark Aruliah (Head of EMEA Policy & Regulatory Affairs, Elliptic), Caner Sevinc (Senior Legal Counsel, Gemini), and Diego Ballon Ossio (Partner, Clifford Chance) as Moderator.
- Parliamentary Spring Reception for 100+ attendees - The reception, hosted by former Secretary of State Alun Cairns MP, celebrated the two-year anniversary of the UK Government's landmark vision to establish the UK as a global crypto hub. The event featured prominent voices from industry and Parliament, sparking an engaging discussion on the progress made in advancing the UK’s crypto and digital asset sector over the past two years. Speakers included Lisa Cameron MP and Ian Taylor (NED, CryptoUK).
- Live Webinar for 172 attendees entitled "Navigating the Future Stablecoin Market" - This webinar in partnership with the Digital Pound Foundation (DPF) explored future use cases and operating models for stablecoins. Speakers included: Jannah Patchay (DPF), Teana Baker-Taylor (CryptoUK), Denelle Dixon (Stellar), Jonny Fry (ClearBank), Sean Kiernan (Greengage), Varun Paul (Fireblocks), and Andrew Gallucci (Circle).
- Roundtable at the RegTech Forum for 20 attendees entitled "Sustainability and Digital Assets - The Regulatory Floodgates are Opening" - Discussing key topics such as regulatory trends, MiCA readiness, and metrics and disclosures, panellists included: Suzanne Morsfield (CryptoUK), Amelie Arras (Zumo), Chrislyn Pereira (Eunice), and Rebecca Rogers (B2C2).
- APPG Industry Roundtable for 25 attendees - The roundtable discussion focussed on some key themes, specifically: What progress has the Government made towards its vision of the UK becoming a global crypto hub? What further action is required in order to fully realise the Government’s vision for the UK; What challenges remain for the UK and industry operators in order to unlock investment in the UK? Plus, additional issues that attendees felt should be considered in relation to the crypto and digital asset industry.
- Live Webinar for 45 attendees entitled "Deconstructing CARF - What are the Implications & How To Be Operationally Ready" - This webinar in partnership with Andersen discussed the upcoming consultation and implementation of the Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF). Speakers included: Paul Hondius (OECD), Philippa Lewis (HMRC), Hywel Griffith (HMRC), Dion Seymour (Andersen), and Jill Dymtrow (Gemini).
3. Promote Accountability and Self Governance
To promote industry best practice, all members subscribe to our principles and self-regulatory Code of Conduct - a first for the UK crypto sector. Members are committed to working together to proactively update the Code and ensure it remains fit for purpose in delivering best practice.
Crypto Code of Conduct - Key Principles:
- UK Leadership - Members recognise the UK’s potential to become a global leader in financial services related to cryptoassets, dependent on the advancement of a supportive operating environment.
- Support Good Regulation - Members support the introduction of appropriate regulation in the UK to ensure consumer safety, the promotion of best practice, and provide certainty and clarity for cryptoasset financial service providers.
- Self-Regulation - Members support the Association’s self-regulatory Code of Conduct, including taking the appropriate measures to know their customers, act fairly, maintain operational standards, and prevent financial crime. Members commit to working together to further improve such standards for best practice.
4. Want to learn more about membership?
Our Membership Advisor Nathan Trickey is available to speak to should you wish to discuss membership in more detail. You can start by requesting a membership pack using the button below:
