Panel: The Vision the UK needs

Navigating the Future Digital Finance Landscape 2026

As part of our recent Navigating the Future Digital Finance Landscape event jointly hosted with the Global Blockchain Business Council (GBBC), our first panel clearly defined industry hopes and expectations for the UK's developing cryptoasset regulatory regime, due to broadly take effect from 25 October 2027.

Panel: The Vision the UK needs

Graham Rodford, Co-Founder & CEO, Archax
Denisse Rudich, Director, G7 & G20 Research Groups and CEO Rudich Advisory
Julian Sawyer, CEO, Zodia Custody
Tom Duff Gordon, VP, International Policy, Coinbase
Monica Sah, Partner, Clifford Chance.

Our key takeaways

Regulation should attract, not contain: The panel warned against over‑prescribing market structure (e.g., forcing localisation of custody or exchange activity). The UK’s strength lies in open rules that let global liquidity flow, not in building closed domestic silos.
Digital assets must be treated as global, not domestic: The UK needs frameworks that reflect a 24/7, cross‑border market and not rules built through a narrow domestic lens.
The UK’s biggest asset remains trust: Institutional clients take comfort from UK regulation - FCA authorisation still signals quality and credibility in a fragmented global market. The FCA’s innovation culture is also a competitive advantage, with its sandboxes, early engagement programmes and specialist pathways internationally admired.
Start‑up and capital support is lagging: While regulation compares well globally, panellists noted the UK is less competitive on investment incentives and founder ecosystem support, pushing talent toward the US, UAE and Singapore. This will be important for the Government and regulators to address.
A long‑term vision is essential: Success in 5–10 years looks like digital assets being fully integrated into financial services, mainstream issuance happening on‑chain, and the UK enabling open, inclusive access to capital for both institutions and retail users. Consistent tax treatment, clear industry standards and long‑term government commitment are essential building blocks.

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Fiver person panel sat on a stage with their pictures and bios on a screen behind them

Denisse Rudich, Director, G7 & G20 Research Groups and CEO Rudich Advisory, Tom Duff Gordon, VP, International Policy, Coinbase, Graham Rodford, Co-Founder & CEO, Archax, Julian Sawyer, CEO, Zodia Custody, and Monica Sah, Partner, Clifford Chance in conversation.