UK Financial Conduct Authority: No intention to relax "overly strict" approach to cryptocurrency regulation

ChainCatcher news, according to Finance Magnates, the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) defended its "overly strict" approach to the registration of cryptocurrency companies, stating that strong standards are crucial for establishing a sustainable and trustworthy digital asset industry.

Val Smith, the FCA's Director of Payments and Digital Assets, responded today in a statement to criticisms that the regulator's stringent requirements could stifle innovation in the crypto industry and that the registration threshold is "too high." Smith warned, "Innovations built quickly on unsafe, unregulated, and untrustworthy foundations are like houses built on sand—likely to collapse. Instead, we want to work closely with the government, industry, and partners in other jurisdictions to develop a crypto industry built on reliable, solid foundations."

The FCA has come under scrutiny for the relatively low number of cryptocurrency companies registered under the UK's Money Laundering Regulations (MLR). Some industry observers believe that the regulator's standards may be too high and could jeopardize the UK's position as a global financial leader. Smith countered these claims, emphasizing that the FCA never directly rejects applications and takes the risks of financial crime seriously. She mentioned concerns regarding terrorism, organized crime, sanctions evasion, and human trafficking.