The US and the UK are preparing for historic cooperation on cryptocurrency regulation. At a high-level meeting in London, UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed the idea of establishing a common regulatory framework. The meeting's inclusion on the agenda is considered a significant milestone for the future of global digital finance.
According to the Financial Times, this framework could both accelerate the adoption of crypto assets and bolster institutional investor confidence. It could also pave the way for the US and UK to take a leading role in setting global standards by providing a roadmap for international policy. While official details have not yet been released, expectations are high.
Many financial giants attended the meeting
The meeting was attended not only by regulators but also by leading players in both traditional and digital finance. Banks such as Bank of America, Barclays, and Citi, as well as Coinbase, Circle, and Ripple, were also at the table. This situation further demonstrated that the crypto world is now at the center of finance. Ripple's UK and Europe Director, Cassie Craddock, stated that the collaboration could be a "template for international cooperation," emphasizing that this step could unlock the full potential of blockchain for both economies.
The UK has long aimed to become the global hub for digital assets. As a strong center of traditional finance, working more closely with the US could give London an advantage in the face of rapidly advancing regulatory initiatives in the European Union and Asia. Last week, representatives of the crypto industry called on the UK government to include stablecoins and tokenization in the US-UK Technology Bridge initiative. This bridge already encompasses artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. Excluding the UK from digital finance could set the UK back from competition.
The inclusion of stablecoins, in particular, is seen as a critical step in the global adoption process. Hester Peirce, a member of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), suggested that a "cross-border sandbox" could be created between the two countries. This allows companies to operate under joint oversight for a certain period of time, providing both clarity for companies and reducing regulatory hurdles.
The public is not indifferent to cryptocurrencies either. According to a survey conducted by Aviva, 27 percent of adults say they would consider including crypto in their retirement funds. Furthermore, one in five people, approximately 11.6 million people, have invested in crypto assets at least once in their lives. The prospect of high returns is keeping interest alive despite the risks.
The timing of the meeting is also noteworthy. These contacts, which took place during US President Donald Trump's visit to the UK, demonstrate political support. If this collaboration materializes, crypto adoption could accelerate, institutional trust could strengthen, and the US and UK could become the countries shaping the future of blockchain-based finance.