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The Austria-based cryptocurrency platform Bitpanda has made its way into the United Kingdom, with the goal of positioning the country among its top three markets within the next two years.
This expansion encompasses its retail investment application in addition to its corporate division, Bitpanda Technology Solutions, which enables banks and fintech firms to provide cryptocurrency trading via white-label solutions. The firm claims that its app grants British investors access to over 600 cryptocurrency assets.
Bitpanda Co-CEO Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad informed Cointelegraph that the enterprise aims to “swiftly expand our direct retail footprint” while collaborating with UK financial entities to introduce cryptocurrency products using its infrastructure. In pursuing this ambition, Bitpanda will encounter established competitors, such as Binance UK, Coinbase, Kraken, Crypto.com, and Gemini, which already have a significant market presence among UK retail investors.
As part of the rollout, Bitpanda inked a multi-year partnership with Arsenal Football Club to serve as its “Official Crypto Trading Partner,” showcasing branding across teams, the stadium, and digital platforms, along with initiatives to inform Arsenal’s over 100 million global supporters about digital assets and prudent investing.
Prior to its entry into the UK, Bitpanda operated with various regulatory licenses in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, catering to clients in the European Economic Area and other authorized regions. It obtained FCA approval in February and devoted months to localizing its offerings ahead of its Thursday launch.
Related: Stablecoin regulations aren’t aligned — and the major players benefit
Crypto regulations trailing in the UK
The UK has been more gradual compared to other jurisdictions in instituting cryptocurrency regulations. A recent blog entry from the Digital Monetary Institute at the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) stated that the UK has wasted its initial lead in blockchain-driven finance and cautioned that it risks forfeiting its position among leading financial hubs.
The article references the Financial Conduct Authority’s “Crypto Roadmap,” unveiled in November 2024, which introduces regulations regarding market manipulation, admissions, prudential standards, and stablecoins.
With consultations not expected until late 2025, final rules and complete licensing might not be established until late 2026, leaving the UK’s cryptocurrency sector in a state of uncertainty compared to regions that already have active regulatory frameworks.
Nevertheless, the regulatory delay has not dissuaded crypto firms from investing in the nation. In absence of a comprehensive licensing system, global giants such as Coinbase, Kraken, and eToro have solidified their presence in the UK under existing anti-money laundering registrations.
Related: UK poised to become a ‘safe harbor’ for cryptocurrency with new draft regulations
Other jurisdictions advancing
In contrast, the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework was fully implemented in late 2024, creating unified categories and regulations for tokens, stablecoins, and service providers across member nations. In the United States, the GENIUS Act, a federal regulation on stablecoins, was enacted by US President Donald Trump on July 18.
Various jurisdictions are making progress with more robust digital asset regulations as well. In June 2024, the United Arab Emirates introduced Payment Token Services Regulations to standardize the utilization of digital assets, whereas Hong Kong has launched a new licensing system for stablecoins and, in July 2025, released its third batch of tokenized green bonds as part of its broader fintech vision.
“Clarity fosters confidence,” Enzersdorfer-Konrad told Cointelegraph. “The UK possesses the talent, capital, and global standing to excel in responsible cryptocurrency innovation, but only if the regulations are clear and progressive. The sooner that clarity is achieved, the sooner the UK can claim its position as a world leader in crypto.”
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