Major Exchanges Urge UK Regulator to Not Restrict Crypto Derivatives

The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), a global trade association of publicly regulated exchanges, has urged the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) not to restrict cryptocurrency derivatives for retail investors.

The WFE made a statement on Oct. 7 in response to the financial regulator’s consultation paper on potentially banning on crypto derivatives such as Bitcoin (BTC) futures and other crypto-related trading products, initially announced in July. The WFE proposed that the FCA develop proper consumer protection instead.

Recommendations to build proper regulations

The WFE offered an array of recommendations such as the implementation of standards, consideration of underlying market structures, and a review of the ban — if it is introduced — to ensure consumer choice and access.

WFE CEO Nandini Sukumar urged authorities to build relevant regulations to enable the market to further develop, stating:

“While crypto asset products have real potential, the market has suffered from unregulated providers distributing inappropriate products. Market infrastructures that adhere to strict regulatory requirements, embed consumer protection as part of their mandate and understand that integrity is fundamental to well-functioning markets, are best placed to deliver these products and support the developing marketplace.”

WFE consists of some of the world’s major stock exchanges, including Nasdaq, CME Group, Korea Exchange, the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Boerse. 

The FCA’s stance toward cryptocurrencies

Although the FCA is still considering the restriction of crypto derivatives for retail investors, it recently concluded that major cryptocurrencies are “exchange tokens” which are “usually decentralized and primarily used as a means of exchange.”

The regulator emphasized that such digital currencies do not fall under the regulatory scope of the FCA and are outside its regulatory purview.

In late September, U.K.-based regulated public exchange Coinshares claimed the FCA had not provided enough evidence to justify a proposed ban on cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes, warning its customers that they will no longer be able to trade such products if the ban is approved.