From retail to real-world: is the UK ready for the next wave of crypto adoption and tokenisation?

A recent Cointelegraph article noted that the UK is “lagging behind” the EU and US in crypto rules. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation (MiCA) is in force, whilst the US has passed the GENIUS Act in the Senate house and is aiming to have it approved in the house of Representatives by August. In contrast, the UK is still finalising its regulatory framework and running consultative papers. Yet beyond this delay lies a more strategic question: is the UK market-ready to lead the next wave of digital asset innovation particularly the institutional tokenisation of real-world assets (RWAs)? Certainly, the UK’s crypto base is expanding as, according to FCA research, 93% of UK adults are aware of crypto and around 12% own these new types of assets. This figure is equivalent to 7 million people, an increase from a mere 4% in 2021. Furthermore, adoption is being fuelled by both long-term savers and first-time investors: in 2024, 26% of holders used long-term savings to invest whilst 14%…