Quick Takeaways:
- UK trade groups want blockchain included in the UK-US Tech Bridge deal.
- Without it, the UK risks falling behind the US, EU, and Asia on digital finance.
- The UK is moving on regulation but it’s not moving fast enough.
Blockchain: Why the UK Can’t Afford to Miss This Moment
A dozen UK industry groups from finance, technology, and crypto are sounding the alarm. They’re asking the UK government to make sure blockchain is at the heart of a new partnership with the United States, called the UK-US Tech Bridge.
Their message is simple: don’t leave blockchain out of the conversation.
In a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Economic Secretary Lucy Rigby, the groups warned that if the UK doesn’t move quickly, it risks losing ground in shaping the financial systems of tomorrow.
And they have a point. Other regions especially the US, the EU, and major markets in Asia are already setting the pace. If the UK wants to lead, or even keep up, blockchain has to be part of the plan.
What Is the Tech Bridge and Why Does Blockchain Matter?
The Tech Bridge is designed to strengthen tech cooperation between the UK and US, especially in cutting-edge areas like AI and quantum computing. But so far, blockchain hasn’t been a main focus.
That’s what these industry groups want to change.
They argue that blockchain, and the broader world of digital assets, is now too important to be left out. It’s not just about crypto it’s about the infrastructure of global finance.
From digital payments to asset tokenization, blockchain is reshaping how money and value move across the world. “Excluding digital assets from the UK-US Tech Bridge would be a missed opportunity,” they wrote.
And they’re probably right. During his upcoming state visit, President Trump who has embraced blockchain and crypto in his second term will be joined by major tech names like Sam Altman (OpenAI) and Jensen Huang (Nvidia). With that kind of firepower in the room, now’s the time for the UK to step up.
Blockchain Isn’t the Future It’s Already Here
For anyone thinking blockchain is still a fringe concept think again. Across the world, banks, asset managers, and governments are experimenting with tokenization putting real-world assets like bonds or deposits on blockchain networks.
The result? Faster settlements, fewer intermediaries, and broader access for investors.
Then there’s stablecoins digital currencies pegged to traditional money.
In the US, they’ve just been given a formal legal framework. That means stablecoin issuers now have regulatory clarity something UK firms still don’t fully have. And that’s the core concern: if the UK doesn’t catch up, it risks falling behind not just in innovation, but in influence.
UK Regulation Is Moving, But Not Fast Enough
To be fair, the UK is making moves. In April, HM Treasury introduced the Cryptoassets Order 2025, which will bring crypto exchanges and other firms under the Financial Services and Markets Act. It’s a meaningful step toward clearer rules.
A bill that will formally recognize cryptocurrency as the property is being reviewed by the Parliament, and the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority) is also demanding inputs on new rules related to Stabecoin and Crypto detention.
All of this translates into a more developed blockchain legal framework in the United Kingdom.
But there’s still a gap especially compared to the US, which just passed federal legislation for stablecoins. In the fast-moving world of digital finance, even a six-month delay can make a big difference.
Global Standards Are Being Set With or Without the UK
What’s really at stake here is influence.
If blockchain is left out of the UK-US Tech Bridge, the UK might lose its seat at the table just as the rules of the next financial era are being written. And those rules are already taking shape in Washington, Brussels, and Singapore.
Groups like the Financial Stability Board are calling for cheaper, faster cross-border payments. Right now, it still costs an average of 6.4% to send $200 internationally, which is outrageous in the digital age. Blockchain could fix that.
The Bank for International Settlements also expects stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and even central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) to all exist side by side.
But for that to work, countries need to align their tech and their policies. That’s where the UK-US Tech Bridge comes in, if it includes blockchain.
At Home, UK Firms Still Face Friction
While big-picture strategy matters, so do the day-to-day challenges facing UK blockchain businesses.
Starting in 2026, platforms will be required to report customer data to HMRC under the OECD’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework.
That’s raising both privacy and cost concerns.
Meanwhile, retail investors are still blocked from accessing crypto-linked exchange-traded notes (ETNs) a policy the FCA says it’s reviewing, but hasn’t changed yet.
Therefore, although the UK is setting the foundation, business executives want more. They want the UK to compete internationally, connect with allies like the US, and look outside.
