Ex-FCA Chief: UK Faced ‘Political Pressure’ to Embrace Crypto

Charles Randell, former chair of the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), dropped a bombshell during a conference hosted by the Prudential Regulation Authority. He claimed that the FCA faced significant political pressure to greenlight crypto firms. Moreover, some of these firms are now under criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Randell led the FCA from April 2018 to May 2022, which saw several crypto firms’ approval, including Bitpanda, Gemini, Revolut, and eToro.

Additionally, Randell highlighted that the FCA had evidence suggesting that approving these firms was not prudent. He emphasized that the political pressure posed a “governance challenge” for regulators. Consequently, he called for robust safeguards against agency capture by industry or political interests.

Randell Exposes FCA’s Struggle with Political Pressure

Randell’s revelations highlight the complex challenges that regulatory bodies like the FCA face. Balancing political pressures with the need for stringent oversight is a delicate act. Hence, Randell’s comments underscore the need for safeguards against agency capture. This involves industry interests and political pressures that may not align with regulatory wisdom.

Significantly, the FCA’s recent moves to regulate crypto advertising indicate a shift towards stricter oversight. This is an attempt to correct past decisions influenced by external pressures. Moreover, it serves as a cautionary tale for other regulatory bodies grappling with the rapid expansion of the crypto industry.

UK’s FCA Tightens Rules on Crypto Promotions

Earlier this summer, the FCA issued a directive to crypto companies advertising in the UK. The regulator gave these firms until October 8 to align with its existing financial promotion regime. Companies must apply and pay a fee to gain approval. However, the FCA’s reach extends beyond domestic firms. If a company’s marketing influences British customers in any way, it falls under the FCA’s jurisdiction.

The FCA outlined four routes for legally communicating financial promotions to UK customers. All of these require approval from an FCA-regulated body, and a Failure to comply could result in two years imprisonment, a fine, or both.