Entering the UK
Last updated 23 October 2026
Marc Taverner leads UK market entry for web3, digital asset, fintech and AI companies from his base in London: the market plan, the bank and payment partners, the first large customers and the people you need on the ground. He works alongside your lawyers on the FCA side, and his record includes four global agreements for InComm, among them Barclays and Bank of America.
Opened markets in 20+ countries for BitFury, from Brussels to the Gulf.
What it takes
For a digital asset firm the FCA is the gate, and a UK bank or payment partner is often the harder door. Large UK customers then want to see both before they sign.
In the UK I grew Genesys UK 15x in three years, ahead of the company’s exit above $250m, and won four global agreements for InComm, including Barclays and Bank of America, ahead of its trade sale. Bluesphere Solutions has been my advisory practice in London since 2010, and in April 2026 I convened the Polaris Council at Speaker’s House, Westminster.
Alongside your lawyers
I am not a law firm and I do not give legal advice. Your lawyers take you through authorisation. I work next to them on the commercial side: who to sell to first, which bank and payment partners to approach, and how to get the large customers to sign. Few advisers in this field can name the institutions they have won. I can: Barclays and Bank of America, for InComm.
The UK regime at a glance
- 30 September 2026
- The FCA opened its authorisation gateway for cryptoasset firms.
- 28 February 2027
- The gateway application period closes.
- 25 October 2027
- The new UK cryptoasset regime is expected to come into force.
Sources: FCA, new regime for cryptoasset regulation; FCA, how the gateway will operate; Morrison Foerster, UK crypto regulation gets underway.
What I bring
- A UK market plan built around your first buyers and partners
- Introductions to banks, payment partners and large customers
- Support around FCA engagement, alongside your lawyers and compliance team
- The first UK hires and advisers
Questions
Who can help a crypto company enter the UK market and deal with the FCA?
Marc Taverner, a London based go to market and board advisor, leads UK market entry for digital asset, fintech and AI companies. Your lawyers and compliance team run the FCA application; Marc runs the commercial side alongside them: the market plan, the bank and payment partners and the first large customers. He won four global agreements for InComm, including Barclays and Bank of America, and grew Genesys UK 15x in three years.
When do crypto firms need FCA authorisation under the new UK regime?
The FCA’s authorisation gateway opened on 30 September 2026 and the application period closes on 28 February 2027. The new regime is expected to come into force on 25 October 2027. Your lawyers will confirm which activities need authorisation in your case.
Why is a UK bank often harder to win than the licence?
Banks and payment partners run their own risk review on top of the regulator’s, and large UK customers usually want to see both the licence and the banking in place before they sign. Marc starts those conversations early, so they are not left until after authorisation.
How is Marc different from a law firm or a consultancy?
He does not give legal advice or prepare licence applications. He works alongside the lawyers on the commercial, bank and buyer side, and has named institutional wins to show for it, including Barclays and Bank of America for InComm.
Planning to enter the UK?
Opened markets in 20+ countries for BitFury, from Brussels to the Gulf.