Former FCA chair slams proposed crypto regulation from government

Charles Randell chaired the regulator between 2018 and 2022

Elliot Gulliver-Needham
clock • 2 min read

Charles Randell, former chair of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has strongly criticised the proposed cryptocurrency regulatory regime issued by the Treasury this week.

Randell, who was chair of both the FCA and Payment Systems Regulator between 2018 and 2022, attacked the proposals that would label crypto as an investment, "but without many of the same rules". These include an "as yet unspecified" liability and capital regime for issuers and intermediaries, a potentially looser regime to judge whether intermediaries are acting in the client's best interests, as well as an initial "lighter touch" approach to market abuse, and possible delegation of the first line of market abuse surveillance to a crypto industry association. On 30 October, the Treasu...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

Paul Bruns: Ongoing review flexibility and the advice gap

Paul Bruns: Ongoing review flexibility and the advice gap

Changes are still currently only at proposal stage

Paul Bruns
clock 10 August 2026 • 5 min read
How considering vegetable peelers can inform your product design

How considering vegetable peelers can inform your product design

FCA released two reports to mark the third birthday of Consumer Duty

Alison Gay
clock 31 July 2026 • 4 min read
Andy Wealthall: Is there still a place for annual suitability reviews?

Andy Wealthall: Is there still a place for annual suitability reviews?

'We shouldn't solve one problem by creating another'

Andy Wealthall
clock 30 July 2026 • 4 min read