Nikolai Timofejev
15 years in FinTech and payments. Maps your business model to the right licence scope and leads the file all the way to the FCA decision, including banking and payment rails.
Get a crypto license in the UK.
Britain is mid-upgrade: FCA registration under the MLRs is the gateway today, and the full FSMA authorisation regime goes live on 25 October 2027. We run both tracks from our own London office at 7 Bell Yard.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
400+
Crypto licenses obtainedlicenses obtained
Updated
United Kingdom in brief
Europe's biggest crypto market, mid-upgrade.
The UK runs Europe's largest crypto market on a two-stage rulebook. Today the gateway is FCA registration under the Money Laundering Regulations - a genuinely demanding review of your AML framework, systems and people, where most applications historically failed on quality. The upgrade is already law: the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 were made on 4 February 2026, the FCA published its final rules on 30 June 2026, and the full authorisation regime - trading platforms, dealing, custody, staking, stablecoin issuance - goes live on 25 October 2027.
Strategically that makes 2026 the entry window: firms registering under the MLRs now build the track record and systems that the FSMA gateway will expect, instead of joining the queue cold in 2027. We run the whole path - company, registration, then authorisation - from our own London office at 7 Bell Yard, next to the Royal Courts of Justice.
Europe's largest crypto market, mid-upgrade: FCA MLR registration is the gateway today; the FSMA regime - rules final since 30 June 2026 - goes live 25 October 2027.
2026 is the entry window: register now, build the track record, convert at the gateway. We run it from our own London office at 7 Bell Yard.
The two tracks
Registered today - authorised for 2027.
Two regimes, one strategy. The MLR registration is what lets you operate now; the FSMA authorisation is what the market looks like from 25 October 2027. Smart applicants treat the first as the dress rehearsal for the second. Same regulator, same expectations, higher stakes.
MLR registration lets you operate now; the FSMA authorisation is the market from 25 October 2027.
01 - TODAY · MLR REGISTRATION
FCA cryptoasset registration
The current gateway for exchange and custodian wallet providers serving the UK. An AML-focused review the FCA runs with full-authorisation seriousness.
The current gateway for exchange and custodian wallet providers serving the UK. An AML-focused review the FCA runs with full-authorisation seriousness.
- ✓Crypto ↔ fiat and crypto ↔ crypto exchange
- ✓Custodian wallet services for UK clients
- ✓Full AML/CFT framework under the MLRs
- ✓Fit & proper directors and MLRO, interviewed
- ✓6-12 months in practice; quality decides
- ✓The operating base until October 2027
02 - FROM 25 OCT 2027 · FSMA
Rules final since 30 June 2026The FSMA authorisation regime
Enacted on 4 February 2026: trading platforms, dealing, custody, staking and stablecoin issuance become regulated activities with a full FCA authorisation gateway.
Trading, dealing, custody, staking and stablecoins become regulated activities. Rules already final.
- ✓Operating a cryptoasset trading platform
- ✓Dealing, custody and arranging activities
- ✓Staking and UK stablecoin issuance rules
- ✓Prudential, conduct and consumer-duty standards
- ✓Transition path for MLR-registered firms
- ✓We build 2026 files that convert cleanly
Costs and timelines are confirmed for your case before any work begins. The MLR registration has no application fee tiers to hide. The cost is in the quality of the file, and FSMA-gateway preparation is scoped individually in your quote.
Why the UK
The market is the argument.
The framework rests on the Money Laundering Regulations today and the FSMA (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 tomorrow, both supervised by the FCA. A regulator whose approval is read as a quality mark far beyond Britain.
✓
Europe's largest crypto market
More crypto users, volume and institutional flow than any European country. The market you eventually need is the one that requires this licence.The market you eventually need requires this licence.
✓
A regulator worth passing
The FCA's registration reviews are famously exacting. Most early applications failed on AML quality. That is the point: the register is short, and being on it means something to banks.A short register that means something to banks.
✓
The 2027 regime is already written
The Cryptoassets Regulations 2026 were made on 4 February 2026 and the FCA's final rules landed on 30 June 2026. You can build today against the exact text of tomorrow's regime.Build today against the final text of tomorrow.
✓
First-mover conversion
MLR-registered firms enter the FSMA gateway with a supervisory track record. Files we build in 2026 are structured to convert. Same policies, deeper prudential layer.2026 files structured to convert at the gateway.
✓
Common law and capital
English law contracts, the world's deepest fintech talent pool and a banking sector that. For registered firms. Actually engages with crypto.English contracts, deep talent, engaged banks.
✓
Our own London office
7 Bell Yard, next to the Royal Courts of Justice. Company formation, the registration file and the FCA dialogue run by people you can visit.7 Bell Yard. People you can visit.
How it compares
How the UK differs from other routes.
The UK is slower and stricter than the EU desks, and opens a market none of them contain. The real comparison is sequencing: many groups take an EU CASP first, then add the UK as the flagship.
United Kingdom vs other jurisdictions
| Feature |  United Kingdom | Other jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|
| Regime today | FCA MLR registration | Full licensing regimes |
| Regime from Oct 2027 | FSMA authorisation | Already-live frameworks |
| Market size | Europe's largest | Smaller home markets |
| EU passport | None - UK-only | EU CASP covers 27 states |
Regime today
United KingdomFCA MLR registration
Other jurisdictionsFull licensing regimes
Regime from Oct 2027
United KingdomFSMA authorisation
Other jurisdictionsAlready-live frameworks
Market size
United KingdomEurope's largest
Other jurisdictionsSmaller home markets
EU passport
United KingdomNone - UK-only
Other jurisdictionsEU CASP covers 27 states
Country by country
| Country | License type | Taxation | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | FCA MLR → FSMA (2027) | 25% CIT · CGT 18/24% | Exacting AML bar, 6-12 months |
 Czech Republic | MiCA CASP (ČNB) | 21% CIT | EU passport, 4-6 months |
 Switzerland | SRO route · FINMA licences | ~12-14% CIT | Fast entry, no EU passport |
 UAE (Dubai) | VARA VASP by activity | 9% CIT · 0% personal | Substance-heavy, 3-9 months |
United KingdomLicense typeFCA MLR → FSMA (2027)
Taxation25% CIT · CGT 18/24%
RequirementsExacting AML bar, 6-12 months
Czech RepublicLicense typeMiCA CASP (ČNB)
Taxation21% CIT
RequirementsEU passport, 4-6 months
SwitzerlandLicense typeSRO route · FINMA licences
Taxation~12-14% CIT
RequirementsFast entry, no EU passport
UAE (Dubai)License typeVARA VASP by activity
Taxation9% CIT · 0% personal
RequirementsSubstance-heavy, 3-9 months
Before you apply
Requirements for the FCA registration.Requirements for FCA registration.
The FCA reviews an MLR application with the seriousness of a full authorisation. The checklist below is what a file that passes actually contains, and it doubles as the foundation of your 2027 FSMA submission.
01
UK entity. A limited company with its registered office and real operations in the UK.
02
UK presence. Decision-making, the MLRO and core compliance actually in the country; paper offices fail.
03
Fit & proper management. Clean records, competence interviews for directors and the MLRO.
04
Business-wide risk assessment. The document the FCA reads first, model-specific and defensible.
05
AML/CFT framework. MLR-grade policies: KYC, EDD, monitoring, SARs to the NCA, travel rule.
06
Governance. Clear ownership structure, controllers disclosed, conflicts and complaints handling.
07
Systems and controls. Blockchain analytics, sanctions screening, custody and key-management design.
08
Financial-promotions compliance. The s21 regime for crypto marketing, including the 24-hour cooling-off.
09
Consumer-duty readiness. The standard the FSMA regime will formalise; build it in now.
10
Wind-down plan. Credible, funded and documented.
11
For 2027: prudential capital, safeguarding and disclosure layers per the FCA's final rules of 30 June 2026.
01
UK limited company with real operations.
02
Decision-making, MLRO and compliance in the UK.
03
Fit & proper directors - interviewed.
04
Business-wide risk assessment - model-specific.
05
MLR-grade AML: KYC, EDD, SARs, travel rule.
06
Governance and disclosed controllers.
07
Analytics, screening and custody controls.
08
s21 financial-promotions compliance.
09
Consumer-duty readiness for 2027.
10
Credible, funded wind-down plan.
Reflects the MLRs, the FSMA (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 and FCA policy as of 2026. The regime goes fully live on 25 October 2027.MLRs + FSMA (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026, FCA rules of 30 June 2026. Live 25 Oct 2027.
How it works
From first call to the FCA register.
01
Perimeter and strategy
We map your services against the MLR registration today and the FSMA activities of 2027, and fix the sequencing in writing.MLR today vs FSMA 2027. Sequencing fixed in writing.
02
UK company and substance
Limited company, office, the MLRO candidate and governance. The presence the FCA interviews behind.Company, office, MLRO. The presence behind the file.
03
The registration file
Business-wide risk assessment, AML/CFT policies, systems and wind-down documentation. Submitted through Connect.Risk assessment, AML, systems, wind-down - via Connect.
04
FCA review
Clarification rounds and interviews, typically 6-12 months. We answer every question and prepare your people for theirs.6-12 months of questions and interviews. We prepare both.
05
Operate - and convert in 2027
Financial-promotions compliance, reporting and the consumer duty. Then the FSMA gateway with a live track record behind you.Promotions, reporting, duty. Then the gateway.
Quick facts
RegulatorFCA
Today's gatewayMLR registration
In practice6-12 months
FSMA regime live25 October 2027
FSMA rules final30 June 2026
Regulations made4 February 2026
SubstanceUK office + MLRO
Marketings21 promotions regime
The FCA has no statutory clock on MLR registrations. File quality drives the timeline.
On the ground in London
Licensed from the city we work in.
Prifinance - United Kingdom
London · 7 Bell Yard
7 Bell Yard, London WC2A 2JR
01
UK company formation
Limited company, registered office and the corporate layer the FCA expects. Set up in days, structured for the registration.Company and corporate layer. Structured for the file.
02
The registration file
Business-wide risk assessment, AML pack and systems documentation. Drafted by us and defended through the FCA's questions and interviews.Risk assessment and AML pack. Defended in interviews.
03
MLRO and staffing
Interview-ready MLRO and compliance recruitment, payroll and office arrangements. The substance the register requires.Interview-ready hires, payroll, office.
04
The 2027 conversion
Files built in 2026 are structured against the FCA's final FSMA rules, so authorisation is an upgrade, not a restart.Built against the final FSMA rules. Upgrade, not restart.
We also have offices in
Tallinn
Estonia
Roseni 13
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Turkey
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Good to know
Taxation of crypto companies in the UK.
No crypto-specific levies. UK companies trade under ordinary corporation tax with one of the world's deepest treaty networks, and HMRC's crypto guidance is among the most developed anywhere.
Corporation tax 25%
The main rate since 2023, with a 19% small-profits rate up to £50,000 and marginal relief to £250,000. Trading margins and fees taxed after ordinary deductions.19% small-profits rate; ordinary deductions.
Individuals: CGT 18% / 24%
Personal crypto gains fall under capital gains tax - 18% basic, 24% higher rate since October 2024. With a £3,000 annual exempt amount.£3,000 annual exemption; rates since Oct 2024.
VAT-exempt exchange
Exchanging crypto for fiat is VAT-exempt as a financial service, per HMRC guidance following the Hedqvist line. The 20% standard rate touches only ordinary supplies.Financial-service exemption per HMRC guidance.
HMRC knows crypto
The Cryptoassets Manual covers trading versus investment, DeFi, staking and employment tokens. Positions are researchable before you take them.The Cryptoassets Manual makes positions researchable.
CARF from 2026
The UK collects crypto-asset reporting framework data from January 2026, with first exchanges in 2027. Reporting is built into your compliance from day one.Data collected now, exchanged from 2027.
130+ tax treaties
The world's largest treaty network keeps cross-border flows predictable, and UK substance makes access real.The world's largest network.
Tax summary
Corporation tax25% · 19% small
Personal CGT18% / 24%
CGT exempt amount£3,000 / yr
VAT on crypto exchangeExempt
Standard VAT20%
CARF reportingfrom 2026
Tax treaties130+
*Figures as of 2026. Trading-versus-investment characterisation drives personal outcomes. We model both before you commit.
Turnkey professional support
Experienced lawyers and international consultants.
We provide end-to-end support, from company registration and the application file to regulatory interaction and compliance oversight - with an individualized approach to each client.
Oleksii Kindratenko
Builds the application itself: UK limited company, AML/KYC policy pack, capital structure and tax registrations. His document sets are the reason reviews finish in months, not years.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
First point of contact for international founders. Runs the whole setup remotely, across time zones and languages - from the first call to a live, FCA-registered business.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
United Kingdom · FCA
Launch your crypto project in the UK with expert support.
Full-service assistance - from company registration to FCA registration and the 2027 FSMA gateway.
Get a consultation →Free legal opinion
Is the UK the right fit for your project?
Our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, track, or sequencing fits your business.
Written assessment within 2-5 business days
Request a free conclusion →FAQ
The UK crypto licence - what clients ask.
What licence does a crypto business need in the UK today?+
FCA registration under the Money Laundering Regulations - required for exchange and custodian wallet services aimed at the UK. It is formally an AML registration, but the FCA reviews it with full-authorisation depth.
What changes on 25 October 2027?+
The FSMA regime goes live: trading platforms, dealing, custody, staking and stablecoin issuance become regulated activities requiring FCA authorisation, under the Cryptoassets Regulations 2026 and the FCA's final rules of 30 June 2026.
Should I wait for the new regime instead of registering now?+
Usually no. You cannot lawfully serve the UK market without the MLR registration in the meantime, and registered firms enter the 2027 gateway with a supervisory track record. We build the file so it converts.
How long does FCA registration take?+
There is no statutory clock; realistic timelines run 6-12 months, driven by the quality of the business-wide risk assessment, the AML framework and how your people perform in interviews.
Why do so many applications fail?+
Historically most failed on AML quality - generic policies, thin risk assessments, MLROs who could not defend the framework. The fix is unglamorous: a model-specific file and prepared people. That is our job.
What substance does the FCA expect?+
A UK company with real decision-making in the country: an MLRO and compliance function on the ground, directors available for interview, and systems - analytics, screening, custody controls - that actually run.
What about marketing to UK clients?+
The financial-promotions regime applies to crypto: promotions must be made or approved under section 21, with risk warnings and a 24-hour cooling-off for first-time investors. Non-compliant marketing is a criminal offence - we build the promotions stack alongside the registration.
How are companies taxed?+
Corporation tax at 25% (19% small-profits rate), VAT-exempt crypto-fiat exchange, and the world's largest treaty network. HMRC's Cryptoassets Manual makes positions predictable.
And founders personally?+
Capital gains tax at 18% or 24% on personal crypto gains with a £3,000 annual exemption; salaries and dividends follow ordinary UK rules. Residence and domicile planning changes outcomes - we model it.
Why the UK rather than the EU?+
Different prizes: an EU CASP opens 27 mid-size markets with one authorisation; the UK opens Europe's single largest market with a regulator whose stamp carries global weight. Serious groups usually sequence both - EU first for speed, UK as the flagship.
What licence today?+
FCA MLR registration - required for UK-facing exchange and custody.
What changes in Oct 2027?+
FSMA authorisation for trading, custody, staking, stablecoins.
Wait for the new regime?+
No - register now, convert with a track record.
How long?+
6-12 months; file quality drives it.
Why do applications fail?+
Generic AML files and unprepared MLROs - fixable.
Substance?+
UK decision-making, MLRO on the ground, working systems.
Marketing rules?+
s21 promotions regime - cooling-off, risk warnings.
Company taxes?+
25% CIT (19% small), VAT-exempt exchange.
Founder taxes?+
CGT 18/24% with £3,000 exempt.
UK or EU?+
EU for speed and 27 states; UK as the flagship market.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
Start today
One message away from your UK registration.
Get a free legal opinion on your project - our legal team will analyze your case at no cost and provide a written legal opinion: which jurisdiction, licence scope, or route fits your business.Free legal opinion: which UK track fits your project and what it will cost.
✓Written legal opinion within 2-5 business days - free of charge✓A clear recommendation on the right licence scope, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU · ES speaking team
Prifinance is an independent law and advisory firm. We are not a regulator and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the Financial Conduct Authority or any other public authority. Authorisations are granted by, and obtained directly from, the competent authorities.