On 27 January 2026 the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched the Mills Review to examine the long-term impact of AI on financial services. Led by Sheldon Mills, this initiative invites industry feedback to help shape how AI might transform consumer experiences, market structures, and regulatory approaches in retail financial services. The call for input closes on 24 February, following which Mills will present recommendations to the FCA board in the summer, culminating in an external publication to foster informed debate.

On 4 February 2024, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 were made, establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptoassets in the UK. Under this new regime, cryptoasset firms falling within scope will be subject to regulatory requirements, including, where relevant, authorisation by the FCA. The Cryptoassets Regulations define the categories of cryptoassets and activities subject to regulation, expand the scope of the financial promotions regime to align with the new regulated activities, and make provision for rules relating to market abuse and public offers. The new regime will take effect on 25 October 2027, with the authorisation gateway opening in September 2026. UK cryptoasset firms should review their current and planned activities to determine if they fall within the scope of the new regime, and those seeking authorisation should start engaging with the process now to ensure they are prepared to move quickly once the gateway opens.

On 4 December 2025, the European Commission introduced the Market Integration & Supervision (MIS) Package to strengthen EU financial market integration.
Key points:
• Direct ESMA oversight of major financial entities and cryptoasset service providers.
• Harmonized rules by converting key directives into regulations for consistent application.
• Goal: Improve market integrity, investor protection, and reduce fragmentation.
Implementation will take several years, with no immediate changes expected.

The new EU Capital Requirements Directive establishes a new harmonized and more restrictive framework for cross-border banking and lending into the EU. The new third country branch rules will prohibit the provision of certain banking services into the EU on a cross-border basis by firms outside the EU, unless done in accordance with limited exemptions.

Baker McKenzie’s Global Financial Services Regulatory Guide has been fully revised for 2024 and covers 35+ jurisdictions worldwide, making it our most expansive edition to date. The Guide acts as a quick reference tool when distributing financial products and offering services into new markets, providing a comprehensive summary of regulations applicable to banks and other financial services companies around the world. This expanded edition includes the rapidly growing area of cryptoassets, AML and CFT supervisors, and the extension of regulation to critical third-party outsourcers. Given the pace of regulatory change in this domain, staying informed is critical for market participants. Baker McKenzie is exceptionally well-positioned to simplify the complexity and provide expert guidance.

Navigating regulatory compliance in the fast-paced crypto markets is challenging. The MiCAR Compliance Toolkit provides you with the practical steps needed to help you prepare for the new regulatory regime for cryptoassets in the EU.

While not new, AI is one of the key drivers of change and could boost productivity and cut costs. The use of distributed ledger technology is creating new products and services such as central bank digital currencies that could bring the unbanked to the financial mainstream. And the use of biometrics authentication promises to enhance the security available to users. While quantum computing remains beyond the next decade, it could have wide-ranging benefits to financial institutions but also leave the sector exposed to a higher level of cyberattacks.

On 13 February 2024, the FCA issued a Final Notice to Floris Jakobus Huisamen, the former director and compliance officer of London Capital & Finance plc (LCF), fining him GBP 31,800 and banning him from working in financial services in relation to misconduct connected to financial promotions issued by LCF. This Final Notice follows the FCA’s previous censure of LCF in October 2023 for connected behaviour. In this alert we draw out the key takeaways that compliance officers should bear in mind from the FCA’s enforcement action.

On 13 February 2024, the FCA issued a Final Notice to Floris Jakobus Huisamen, the former director and compliance officer of London Capital & Finance plc (LCF), fining him GBP 31,800 and banning him from working in financial services in relation to misconduct connected to financial promotions issued by LCF. This Final Notice follows the FCA’s previous censure of LCF in October 2023 for connected behaviour. In this alert we draw out the key takeaways that compliance officers should bear in mind from the FCA’s enforcement action.

We are pleased to share with you our annual briefing looking at financial services regulation and enforcement in 2024, “What does 2024 hold? Key upcoming developments and enforcement trends”.

With Brexit and the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, and the geopolitical ebb-and-flow settling into a somewhat more stable – if preciously perched – pattern, regulators around the world have turned their attention to less reactive, more forward-looking actions. Our London Financial Institutions Regulatory and Enforcement experts explore the key developments and trends expected to dominate the regulatory landscape this year.