Originally reported November 13, 2026, at 21:55 UTC+8. A taskforce convened by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) warned that the UK’s mandatory crypto regime would still be in transition when Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessors visit in June 2027. The regime is scheduled to take effect on October 25, 2027; the UK’s evaluation report is due to be agreed at FATF’s February 2028 plenary.
The taskforce called crypto laundering a “material risk” for the UK and questioned whether the country could demonstrate adequate implementation by the June visit. This will be the first UK FATF evaluation to consider crypto. FATF’s review assesses whether anti-money-laundering rules work in practice, not only whether they have been adopted.
The UK brought crypto firms under its money-laundering rules in 2020. Legislation passed in February 2026 created a statutory crypto regime, and the Financial Conduct Authority finalized its rulebook in June 2026. The taskforce pointed to a gap between that rulebook and the evidence of enforcement assessors may seek. Its members also raised concerns about law-enforcement resources and crypto activity outside the regulator’s reach.
Status as reported: The June 2027 visit, October 2027 start of the mandatory regime and February 2028 plenary were future milestones—not completed outcomes. The taskforce’s assessment was a warning about the UK’s readiness, not a FATF finding.