CEX.IO, a global digital asset exchange with more than 15 million users, today announced that its UK company CEX.IO Markets UK Limited has secured registration with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations (MLRs). The milestone brings the company under the FCA supervision within the dedicated UK framework for Cryptoassets activities.
All existing UK customers – as well as newly onboarded users – will be served by a UK-registered entity. With its inclusion on the FCA’s official register, CEX.IO can establish deeper partnerships with UK banks, helping reduce the likelihood of blocked deposits or flagged withdrawals.
The migration of CEX.IO’s UK user base will be carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Customers will receive in-app notifications prompting them to accept new UK-specific terms. CEX.IO does not expect the process to affect their existing asset portfolios or interrupt their trading activity.
Operating through a UK-registered entity also means that CEX.IO’s cryptoasset activities for UK users will be carried on within the UK anti-money laundering and financial crime framework.
“We aren’t just checking a box – we’re building a home for crypto in Britain,” said Rich Evans, Managing Director at CEX.IO. “By moving our UK users to a locally registered framework, we’re reinforcing and aligning local accountability with the high standards expected from any UK financial service. This registration lays a solid foundation for everything we plan to build in 2026 and beyond.” The UK is widely regarded as having one of the most rigorous regulatory environments for digital assets globally. According to FCA data, historically 15% of applicants have successfully met the required standards. By securing this status, CEX.IO joins a group of firms capable of meeting the FCA’s ‘high-bar’ expectations for financial crime prevention and consumer protection. Registered firms also gain the ability to communicate their own qualifying cryptoassets financial promotions to UK consumers under the UK’s updated 2026 regulatory standards, ensuring that all communications remain fair, clear, and focused on consumer protection.