Trusted Verification Resources

United Kingdom Regulation and Fraud Reporting

Official UK sources for checking financial firms, permissions, warning notices and reporting fraud.

The United Kingdom does not operate under the European Union's MiCA authorisation framework. UK readers should use the Financial Conduct Authority and other UK authorities to check firms, permissions, warnings and available protections.

Current situation — July 2026

The Financial Conduct Authority has been developing a comprehensive UK cryptoasset regulatory regime. Anti-money-laundering registration requirements for cryptoasset businesses have been in effect since 2020. The FCA has also introduced financial-promotions rules for cryptoassets. A broader authorisation regime covering cryptoasset activities is being phased in. Readers should check the FCA website directly for the current status of applicable rules, as the regime continues to develop and new requirements may apply.

Official Sources

FCA Firm Checker

Visit

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/fca-firm-checker

What it verifies:Whether a firm is authorised or registered and whether it has relevant permissions.

Use it for:Checking a financial firm before responding to an offer or transferring funds.

Important limitation:Match the website, telephone number and address. Clone firms may copy a legitimate firm's name and reference number.

Financial Services Register

Visit

https://register.fca.org.uk/

What it verifies:Detailed FCA registration, authorisation, permissions and appointed-representative information.

Use it for:Reviewing the legal entity and the activities it may carry on.

Important limitation:Authorisation for one activity does not automatically cover a different product or cryptoasset service.

FCA Warning List

Visit

https://www.fca.org.uk/consumers/warning-list-unauthorised-firms

What it verifies:Firms and individuals the FCA is aware may be operating without permission or presenting other concerns.

Use it for:Checking a business name, website or solicitation against current warnings.

Important limitation:The list is not exhaustive. A missing name is not proof that an offer is genuine.

FCA — Cryptoassets

Visit

https://www.fca.org.uk/firms/cryptoassets

What it verifies:Current FCA information about UK cryptoasset registration and regulatory responsibilities.

Use it for:Understanding the scope of FCA oversight for cryptoasset businesses.

Important limitation:FCA cryptoasset registration may concern anti-money-laundering requirements and does not guarantee consumer protection or investment performance.

Financial Ombudsman Service

Visit

https://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/

What it verifies:Complaint information for eligible disputes involving regulated financial businesses.

Use it for:Understanding whether a complaint may fall within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction.

Important limitation:Many direct cryptoasset activities may fall outside coverage.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme

Visit

https://www.fscs.org.uk/check/check-your-money-is-protected/

What it verifies:Information about whether eligible products and firms may receive FSCS protection.

Use it for:Checking potential compensation coverage before using a financial service.

Important limitation:FSCS does not protect ordinary market losses and many cryptoassets are not covered.

Report Fraud

Visit

https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/

What it verifies:The UK reporting route for fraud and cybercrime.

Use it for:Reporting suspected investment, impersonation, payment, recovery and online fraud.

Important limitation:Contact the bank, exchange or payment provider immediately as well.

Companies House

Visit

https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/

What it verifies:Public UK company registration and filing information.

Use it for:Confirming legal names, officers, filing status and registered office details.

Important limitation:Company registration does not mean the business is FCA authorised or that an investment is approved.

A safer verification routine

1.Start from the regulator or government website—not a link supplied by the person or company being checked.
2.Search the exact legal name as well as any trading name. Compare the website, telephone number, address and registration number.
3.Confirm that the listed permissions cover the service actually being offered. Registration for one activity does not automatically cover another.
4.Check warning lists, disciplinary records and recent alerts. A clean result is useful information, but it is not proof that an offer is safe.
5.Keep screenshots, URLs, transaction hashes, emails and messages if you may need to make a report.

Registration is not an endorsement

Appearing in a register may confirm a legal filing, licence, authorisation or anti-money-laundering registration. It does not mean that UK authorities guarantee the product, approve its marketing claims, protect against market losses or promise that funds can be recovered.

External-link notice

External links are provided for independent verification and educational convenience. Fichtner Digital does not control third-party websites and does not endorse every statement, product or service they contain. Always confirm that the domain is official before entering personal information.

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Last reviewed: July 25, 2026. This page does not provide legal, tax, accounting, financial or investment advice and does not determine whether any product or service is appropriate for a particular person.

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Educational purposes only. Not financial advice. All materials are provided for general educational purposes. They do not constitute financial, legal, tax, accounting or investment advice. Fichtner Digital does not provide regulated financial services.