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Crypto comes under UK regulatory spotlight

A photo illustration of a physical silver Bitcoin collectible as they are digital on black background on May 20, 2026 in London, England.
Photo: Peter Dazeley/Getty Images

The debate is no longer whether crypto should be regulated, but what effective regulation should look like.

The crypto market has come a long way since the launch of Bitcoin in 2009. Today, an estimated 559 million people worldwide hold or use cryptocurrency, up from 420 million in 2023. As digital assets move further into the financial mainstream, regulators are under pressure to provide greater clarity and oversight.

For much of