Austria-based crypto platform Bitpanda has entered the UK, aiming to make the nation one in every of its prime three markets throughout the subsequent two years.
The enlargement consists of its retail funding app together with its company arm, Bitpanda Expertise Options, which permits banks and fintech corporations to supply crypto buying and selling by white-label companies. The corporate says its app gives entry to greater than 600 crypto property for British traders.
Bitpanda Co-CEO Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad informed Cointelegraph the corporate plans to “quickly develop our direct retail presence” whereas working with UK monetary establishments to launch crypto choices utilizing its infrastructure. In pursuing that aim, Bitpanda will face established rivals together with Binance UK, Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com and Gemini, which already maintain robust market share amongst UK retail traders.
As a part of the launch, Bitpanda signed a multi-year take care of Arsenal Soccer Membership to grow to be its “Official Crypto Buying and selling Accomplice,” that includes branding throughout groups, stadium, and digital channels, together with campaigns to teach Arsenal’s 100 million–plus world followers on digital property and accountable investing.
Earlier than coming into the UK, Bitpanda operated beneath a number of regulatory licences in Austria, Germany, France, Italy and Spain, serving shoppers throughout the European Financial Space and different permitted jurisdictions. It obtained FCA approval in February and spent months localizing its product earlier than its Thursday launch.
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Crypto laws lagging within the UK
The UK has been slower than some jurisdictions to implement crypto laws. In a current weblog submit, the Digital Financial Institute on the Official Financial and Monetary Establishments Discussion board (OMFIF), argued the UK has squandered its early lead in blockchain-based finance and warned it dangers shedding its standing amongst prime monetary facilities.
The article factors to the Monetary Conduct Authority’s “Crypto Roadmap,” printed in November 2024, which phases in guidelines on market abuse, admissions, prudential necessities, and stablecoins.
With consultations not due till late 2025, last laws and full licensing could not arrive till late 2026, leaving the UK’s crypto sector in limbo in contrast with jurisdictions that have already got energetic frameworks.
Nonetheless, the regulatory delay has not deterred crypto corporations from investing within the nation. And not using a complete licensing regime, world heavyweights like Coinbase, Kraken and eToro have cemented their UK presence beneath current anti–cash laundering registrations.
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Different jurisdictions transfer forward
Against this, the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Property (MiCA) framework got here into full impact in late 2024, establishing unified classes and guidelines for tokens, stablecoins, and repair suppliers throughout member states. Within the US, the GENIUS Act, a federal stablecoin regulation invoice, was signed into legislation by US President Donald Trump on July 18.
Different jurisdictions are transferring forward with stronger digital asset frameworks as properly. In June 2024, the United Arab Emirates launched Fee Token Providers Rules to formalize using digital property, whereas Hong Kong has rolled out a brand new stablecoin licensing regime and, in July 2025, issued its third batch of tokenized inexperienced bonds beneath its broader fintech technique.
“Readability fuels confidence,” Enzersdorfer-Konrad informed Cointelegraph. “The UK has the expertise, capital, and world repute to guide in accountable crypto innovation, however provided that the principles are clear and forward-looking. The earlier that readability arrives, the earlier the UK can take its place as a world chief in crypto.”
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