How to check whether a UK crypto firm is registered

Before responding to a crypto promotion or sending information to a firm, check the firm’s details on the Financial Services Register. A search result alone is not enough: the name, contact details and permissions should match the firm that contacted you.

FCA registration is not an endorsement, a guarantee of performance or proof that a product is suitable. It is one part of checking who a firm is and what it is allowed to do.

What does the FCA say?

The FCA says firms offering crypto products in the UK must be registered with it or have permission to promote them. It also warns that most crypto-related activities are not regulated in the UK and that protections may be limited.

The position depends on the firm, product and activity. Do not assume that a firm registered for one activity is authorised for every service it advertises.

How to use the Register

Search for the firm using the FCA Financial Services Register. Then compare:

the exact legal or trading name
the firm reference number, if shown
the website and email domain
telephone and postal contact details
the activities and services listed as permitted
any restrictions, warnings or status information

Use the contact details shown in the Register rather than a phone number or link supplied only in an unsolicited message. A scammer may copy the name of a real firm or direct you to a lookalike website.

What if the firm is not listed?

Stop and investigate before sending money or personal information. An unlisted firm may not be allowed to provide the service or promote the product in the UK. The FCA also maintains warnings about unauthorised firms, but the absence of a warning is not proof that a firm is safe.

A firm may also be listed under a legal name that differs from its brand. That is why the website, contact details and permitted activities need to match rather than relying on a name alone.

What does registration not prove?

Registration does not prove that a token will increase in value, that a platform will remain available, or that you will recover a loss. It does not turn an investment promotion into independent advice.

Do not share a wallet recovery phrase, private key, password or one-time security code with a firm or caller. If someone pressures you to act quickly, promises guaranteed returns or offers to recover money for an upfront payment, stop the conversation and seek help through official channels.

If you think you have been contacted by a scammer, preserve messages, website addresses and payment records. Contact your bank or payment provider promptly where relevant and follow current FCA and Report Fraud guidance.

For related reading, see crypto scam terminology, what a cryptoasset is and what a crypto wallet is.

Sources

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