Robinhood has secured registration with the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for its British entity, removing a key regulatory obstacle to launching cryptocurrency trading in the country.
The FCA register lists Robinhood U.K. Ltd as registered under the Money Laundering Regulations from 31 Jul. The status allows the company to conduct covered crypto exchange or custody activities in Britain, subject to anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorist-financing supervision.
It is not a full financial services authorization or an FCA endorsement of Robinhood's products. The registration does not by itself give crypto customers consumer protection under the Financial Ombudsman Service or Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Robinhood will also need to seek authorization under the UK's broader crypto regime, scheduled to take effect on 25 Oct 2027.
UK gap closes
Robinhood already offers US stocks and investment products to British customers, but has so far withheld cryptocurrency trading. The registration puts it in a position to compete more directly with FCA-registered exchanges already serving the UK.
The move comes as Robinhood expands outside its core US brokerage business. The company has widened leveraged perpetual products in Europe, launched tokenized equities through Robinhood Wallet and introduced its Robinhood Chain blockchain. It has also entered Canada through its acquisition of WonderFi and secured regulatory approval to prepare brokerage services in Singapore.
Robinhood previously expanded its international crypto infrastructure through the acquisition of Bitstamp, which brought customers and licences across the UK, EU, US and Asia.
Crypto income slipping
The international push is continuing despite weaker cryptocurrency trading. Robinhood's second-quarter crypto revenue fell 38% from a year earlier to $100mn, while notional volume on its main app declined 35% to $18bn. Group-wide crypto notional volume, including Bitstamp, was $40bn.
The company offset that decline through other products, particularly options, equities and prediction markets. Event contracts generated $156mn during the quarter, overtaking crypto as a source of transaction revenue.
UK crypto trading could give Robinhood another channel for customer growth, but the registration arrives during a subdued market and ahead of a more demanding British authorization regime.
