FCA Cracks Down: UK Regulator Issues Stern Warning to Crypto Exchanges Over Advertising Violations
UK financial watchdog draws line in the sand for cryptocurrency promotions
The Financial Conduct Authority isn't playing nice anymore. British regulators just put crypto exchanges on notice—their advertising practices are under the microscope, and violations won't be tolerated.
New compliance era dawns
Exchanges operating in UK territory must now navigate stricter promotional guidelines. The FCA's message echoes across trading platforms: follow the rules or face consequences. No more wild west marketing tactics that promise unrealistic returns or downplay crypto's inherent volatility.
Regulatory reckoning arrives
This crackdown signals Britain's determination to clean up crypto's reputation while maintaining innovation. Traditional finance might smirk at digital assets getting a regulatory spanking—but let's be real, banks have needed their own supervision for centuries. At least crypto's growing up in public.
In London crypto news today, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned hundreds of overseas cryptocurrency exchanges for illegally promoting crypto services to UK consumers, after issuing 221 alerts under its new advertising regime since October 2023.
This action follows a rule change in October 2023 requiring any firm marketing crypto assets to UK consumers to be FCA-authorized or registered.
Under the stricter regime, unauthorized crypto promotions are criminal offences punishable by fines or even prison terms, up to two years for corporate officers.
Crypto News: Warnings to Unlicensed Exchanges
Since the new rules took effect, the FCA has flagged dozens of foreign crypto platforms on its Warning List.
Crypto news reaching our desk today confirms that the FCA “hundreds” of warnings to unlicensed platforms.
The FCA’s public Warning List names these companies so UK investors can avoid them. The regulator is also cooperating with social media, app stores, and payment firms to remove or block illegal crypto ads from British audiences.
By law, any company promoting crypto assets to UK retail investors must be FCA-authorized or registered.
Crypto adverts must be “clear, fair and not misleading” with prominent risk warnings, and marketing incentives like cash bonuses or referral rewards are banned.
These changes bring crypto promotions in line with rules for other high-risk investments. The FCA has warned that executives who break the advertising rules could face criminal charges, including prison time.
In global crypto news, observers noted that on Oct. 22 the FCA filed a High Court lawsuit against HTX – the Justin Sun‑backed exchange formerly known as Huobi – accusing it of unlawfully promoting crypto asset services to UK consumers.
The FCA noted HTX is not authorized to operate in the UK and had already appeared on the regulator’s warning list.
In crypto news media coverage, analysts note that many illegal adverts remain accessible. A Financial Times analysis found that roughly half of crypto promotions flagged by the FCA from Oct. 2023 through Oct. 2024 were still live online despite the warnings.
The FCA says it is pressing online platforms and payment companies to remove these illegal promotions, but thousands of adverts have yet to be deleted from social media and websites.
Balancing Crackdown and Innovation
In other crypto news, regulators stress that tighter advertising rules are paired with measures to encourage a crypto industry in Britain.
On Oct. 8, 2025, the FCA lifted its four-year ban on retail crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs), allowing UK exchanges to offer Bitcoin and ether ETNs to customers.
The FCA has also published consultations on fund tokenization, including a “roadmap to advance fund tokenisation” in asset management.
The FCA says, these reforms are intended to help the UK “remain competitive with crypto-friendly countries like the US.”
For crypto news observers, this two-pronged approach underscores the UK’s effort to protect consumers while supporting innovation.
