Sociétés de cryptographie
Crypto Firms: FCA Registration, Compliance & Support
What does a crypto firm need to operate legally in the UK?
Every crypto exchange or custodian serving UK customers must register with the FCA and demonstrate strong AML/CTF controls. This includes solid KYC processes, on-chain transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, clear governance, and documented policies tailored to crypto-specific risks. Firms must also meet the UK financial promotions rules and provide clear, compliant customer risk warnings.
How difficult is it to get FCA approval?
The FCA’s crypto registration process is extremely demanding, with bank-level expectations on risk assessments, governance, tooling, and evidence of real operational controls. Many firms are rejected for gaps in documentation or weaknesses in their framework, which is why most applicants need expert compliance and legal support to prepare a complete, credible submission that meets the FCA’s high bar.
Qui est concerné ?
Les projets liés aux cryptomonnaies sont l'un des secteurs à la croissance la plus rapide et les services qui y sont associés sont extrêmement variés. Les entreprises qui fournissent les services énumérés dans le tableau ci-dessous* doivent s'assurer qu'elles sont enregistrées dès que possible :
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Activité sur les crypto-actifs |
Description des services fournis |
|
Fournisseur de services d'échange de crypto-actifs |
Une entreprise qui fournit les services suivants :
|
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Distributeur automatique de billets (DAB) de crypto-actifs |
Des kiosques physiques qui permettent aux utilisateurs d'échanger des crypto-actifs et des monnaies fiduciaires. |
|
Fournisseurs de portefeuilles de dépôt |
Une entreprise qui gère les jetons du client dans son système informatique ou son serveur et qui peut administrer ou transférer le jeton au nom du client. |
|
Fournisseurs de services d'égal à égal |
Une entreprise qui fournit une place de marché en ligne facilitant l'échange de monnaies fiduciaires et de crypto-actifs (à la fois de monnaie fiduciaire à crypto et de crypto à crypto) entre les acheteurs et les vendeurs potentiels. |
|
Émetteurs de nouveaux crypto-actifs, par exemple Initial Coin Offering (ICO) ou Initial Exchange Offering (IEO). |
Entreprise qui vend un crypto-actif, présenté ou vendu comme un nouveau type de crypto-actif ou un crypto-actif qui deviendra utilisable à l'avenir, en échange de monnaie fiduciaire. |
|
Publication de logiciels libres, par exemple fournisseurs de portefeuilles non dépositaires |
Une entreprise qui fournit un logiciel tel qu'une application, qui peut être téléchargée et utilisée par un client sur son appareil pour stocker ou administrer un jeton, par exemple une application de portefeuille non dépositaire qu'un client peut télécharger sur un appareil pour stocker la clé privée en relation avec un jeton. |
Quelle est la procédure de candidature ?
La procédure d'enregistrement a été divisée en 4 étapes et est résumée dans le tableau ci-dessous* :
| Étape | Processus |
| Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation | It is vital that a firm’s entire AML/CTF framework is fully prepared before submitting an application. The FCA will not progress an incomplete or weak submission, and most applications fail at this stage due to gaps in documentation, governance or evidential support. Firms must have a complete business-wide risk assessment, customer-risk model, KYC/CDD processes, on-chain monitoring approach, governance structure, and fully drafted policies. Given the complexity and the high expectations, the FCA expect firms to use specialist consultants and lawyers to design a credible framework and avoid early rejection. |
| Step 2: Application Submission via FCA Connect | The firm submits its full application pack through FCA Connect, including detailed policies, governance evidence, financials, organisational charts, oversight frameworks and senior management declarations. The FCA will only begin assessment once the application is considered complete. |
| Step 3: FCA Review, Queries & Interviews | The FCA conducts an in-depth assessment of the firm’s AML framework, governance arrangements, operational controls and technology. This typically includes requests for additional evidence, interviews with senior management, testing of transaction-monitoring logic, and scrutiny of high-risk customer processes. Most firms experience several rounds of detailed questions. |
| Step 4: Determination & Ongoing Supervision | If the FCA is satisfied that the firm meets the required standard, it will be added to the Cryptoasset Register. Post-registration, firms are subject to ongoing supervision, including periodic audits, financial promotions monitoring, risk-based reviews and potential enforcement action if standards fall short. |
Que recherche la FCA ?
The FCA assesses crypto firms against the Money Laundering Regulations and expects a mature, well-evidenced financial crime framework. While the regime is AML/CTF-focused, the FCA applies a high supervisory standard: firms must demonstrate strong governance, clear accountability, credible operational controls, and the ability to monitor crypto-specific financial-crime risks, including on-chain activity. The regulator expects firms to understand their risks, design controls proportionate to those risks, and provide clear evidence that those controls are fully embedded in day-to-day operations.
Crypto firms must also meet expectations set out in the FCA’s Financial Crime Guide, JMLSG Guidance, and the UK financial promotions regime. The FCA is not simply looking for drafted policies — it is looking for genuine operational readiness, appropriate staffing, effective systems, and a senior management team capable of overseeing a high-risk business.
Key Requirements (summarised in the 3 phases below):
| Phase | Exigence |
| Phase 1: Identify your risks | The FCA expects firms to conduct a detailed business-wide AML/CTF risk assessment that reflects their products, customers, geographies, technology and delivery channels. This risk assessment must be specific, evidence-based and fully aligned to crypto-specific typologies, not generic templates. |
| Phase 2: Build a framework | Once risks are understood, firms must build a governance and control framework capable of managing them. This includes defining senior management responsibilities, establishing escalation paths, documenting all financial-crime controls, and designing a monitoring approach that covers on-chain behaviour and fiat flows. |
| Phase 3: Implement the controls | The FCA will expect firms to show that their controls are operational — not theoretical. This includes KYC/CDD processes, enhanced due diligence, sanctions screening, blockchain analytics, transaction-monitoring rules, suspicious-activity reporting procedures, staff training, record-keeping, and quality-assurance reviews. Evidence of live systems and real workflows is essential. |
How AuthoriPay can Help
AuthoriPay specialises in supporting crypto firms through the entire FCA registration journey. We help you:
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Identify and document your crypto-specific risks
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Build a compliant governance and AML framework
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Implement KYC, monitoring and reporting controls
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Prepare and structure your FCA application pack
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Respond to FCA queries and evidential requests
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Strengthen governance and oversight prior to submission
Our approach is practical, experienced and tailored — giving you the best possible chance of meeting the FCA’s high standards and operating in the UK with confidence. We can also introduce you to industry recognised lawyers to help with the legal preperation.
To discuss your requirements or request support with the FCA application process, please contact us.
*Source, site web de la FCA : https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/financial-crime/cryptoassets-aml-ctf-regime
Prendre contact
AuthoriPay Ltd, Milton Hall, Ely Road, Cambridge, CB24 6WZ.