UK has ceded crypto hub ground to US amid ‘heavy-handed' FCA oversight, Consensys says

The UK's cryptocurrency ambitions have suffered a major setback as heavy-handed Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation drives blockchain innovation to the United States, according to leading Ethereum infrastructure firm Consensys. The crypto industry giant warns that Britain's overly broad regulatory approach, which treats all cryptocurrency assets and DeFi protocols as traditional financial instruments, is severely damaging the nation's competitiveness in the global digital asset market.

This regulatory exodus represents a significant blow to the UK's fintech leadership, as major cryptocurrency exchanges, Bitcoin trading platforms, and blockchain startups increasingly favor US jurisdictions with clearer regulatory frameworks. Consensys highlights how the FCA's blanket oversight approach stifles innovation in emerging sectors like decentralized finance (DeFi), NFTs, and Web3 development.

The warning comes as the cryptocurrency market continues its recovery, with institutional adoption driving renewed interest in digital assets. Industry experts suggest the UK risks losing billions in potential blockchain investment and high-skilled crypto jobs to more crypto-friendly jurisdictions. This regulatory brain drain could permanently damage Britain's position as a global cryptocurrency hub, forcing innovative blockchain companies and DeFi protocols to establish operations elsewhere.