Coinbase received UK investment services authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) framework from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), expanding the crypto exchange's services beyond digital assets into derivatives and equities. The authorization allows Coinbase to provide investment services and deal in financial instruments under rules designed to protect consumers and maintain market integrity. This approval positions the UK as an early test case for Coinbase's Everything Exchange strategy, which aims to consolidate banking, brokerage, savings, and crypto services under one platform. The expansion addresses what Coinbase described as the fragmented experience where UK investors currently juggle separate banking apps, brokerage accounts, savings products, and crypto wallets. With approximately 7 million UK adults already holding crypto according to FCA research, and the UK's full crypto regulatory regime expected to take effect in October 2027, Coinbase said the authorization represents the single biggest expansion of its UK product suite since entering the market.
FCA Grants Coinbase MiFID Investment Services Authorization
The Financial Conduct Authority issued the MiFID investment services authorization to Coinbase's UK entity, allowing the company to provide investment services and deal in financial instruments including equities and derivatives. The authorization sits within Coinbase's UK entity alongside its existing Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license and crypto registration. Coinbase stated the combination makes it the most comprehensively regulated crypto player in the market, describing the authorization as "a major step toward bringing the everything exchange to life."
The approval expands Coinbase's service offerings beyond crypto-only products. Advanced traders will gain access to perpetual futures tied to crypto, equities, and commodities, while retail users will be able to trade equities through the platform.
Coinbase Holds Three UK Regulatory Approvals
Beyond the MiFID investment services license, Coinbase holds two additional FCA approvals. The company's virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration, granted in February 2025, permits crypto-to-crypto and fiat-to-crypto exchange services for UK residents. Through its subsidiary CB Payments Ltd., Coinbase also holds an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license, allowing it to issue e-money, support digital fiat payments, and connect to the UK's Faster Payments Scheme for faster deposits and withdrawals.
Together, these three approvals support Coinbase's Everything Exchange strategy, combining payments, savings products, stock trading, and crypto derivatives under one app.
Everything Exchange Product Suite Includes Derivatives and Equities
Coinbase detailed that UK users will gain access to stablecoin payments, savings, borrowing, crypto, derivatives, and equities on the platform, with tokenized real-world assets planned. The company recently launched UK savings and borrowing products, and the new authorization marks the next phase of its expansion.
Coinbase stated: "Today, a typical UK investor juggles a banking app, a brokerage account, a savings product and a crypto wallet. We think that era is ending." The company positions this multi-product approach as an alternative to the current fragmented financial services landscape.
FCA Research Shows 7 Million UK Adults Hold Crypto
Financial Conduct Authority research found about 7 million UK adults already hold crypto. The research also indicated that a quarter of non-holders would be more likely to participate if the sector were properly regulated. Coinbase pointed to October 2027, when the UK's full crypto regime is expected to take effect.
The approval gives Coinbase room to expand before those rules arrive. The company said its long-term impact will depend on execution, adoption, and the final regulatory framework.
FAQ
What authorization did Coinbase receive from the UK Financial Conduct Authority?
Coinbase received UK investment services authorization under the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) framework from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The authorization allows Coinbase to provide investment services and deal in financial instruments including equities and derivatives under rules designed to protect consumers and maintain market integrity.
How many UK regulatory approvals does Coinbase currently hold?
Coinbase holds three UK regulatory approvals from the FCA: the MiFID investment services license, a virtual asset service provider (VASP) registration granted in February 2025 for crypto exchange services, and an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license through its subsidiary CB Payments Ltd. for e-money issuance and digital fiat payments.
When is the UK's full crypto regulatory regime expected to take effect?
The UK's full crypto regulatory regime is expected to take effect in October 2027. Coinbase's authorization provides the company room to expand its product offerings before those comprehensive rules arrive.
