The United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has opened a consultation on guidance for firms using decentralised finance (DeFi), centring on operational resilience, financial crime, and anti-money laundering requirements.

The proposed guidance outlines how existing rules may apply to financial services delivered through DeFi, including measures firms could consider to manage operational and financial crime risks. According to the regulator, the guidance aims to protect consumers, uphold market integrity, and promote effective competition.

“We’re consulting on non-Handbook guidance to help firms providing financial services using decentralised finance (DeFi) comply with our rules on operational resilience and financial crime, and with the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs).” — FCA

The FCA said the proposals are intended to clarify existing requirements rather than establish new policy. As non-Handbook guidance, the document will explain how firms can comply with current rules rather than introduce new obligations. The consultation closes on November 18, 2026, with final guidance expected in January 2027. For firms already in scope of SYSC 15A, SYSC 6, or the MLRs, the final document could serve as a practical reference for how those existing obligations apply when services are delivered through DeFi.

Who the Consultation Applies To

According to the FCA, the guidance consultation applies to FCA-regulated firms providing financial services using DeFi that are:

• In scope of SYSC 15A (Operational Resilience)
• In scope of SYSC 6 (Compliance, internal audit and financial crime)
• Subject to the Money Laundering Regulations (MLRs)

The regulator said the consultation may also interest:

• Other FCA-regulated firms
• Firms that are not authorised by the FCA but interact with DeFi
• Industry groups and trade bodies
• Professional advisers
• Consumers and groups representing consumer interests
• Policy makers and other regulatory bodies
• Academics and think tanks
• Industry experts and commentators

Ahead of the 2027 Crypto Regime

The consultation comes ahead of the UK's new crypto asset regulatory regime, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026, which is scheduled to take effect on October 25, 2027. On that timetable, final guidance expected in January 2027 would be published roughly nine months before the regime's start date, leaving firms a window between the two milestones to review how the guidance and the new regime requirements fit together.

Source: BitcoinKE — UK Financial Regulator Opens Consultations on DeFi Rules Ahead of 2027 Crypto Regime