Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
London, United KingdomThe FCA is the conduct regulator for 59,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK and the prudential regulator for over 18,000 of those firms.
We aim to make markets work well – for individuals, for business, both large and small, and for the economy as a whole. Underpinning this overarching objective are three operational objectives which are to: secure an appropriate degree of protection for consumers; protect and enhance the integrity of the UK financial system; and promote effective competition in the interests of consumers.
Geographical Jurisdiction
United KingdomThe sectors we are interested in cover: regulating standards of conduct in retail and certain wholesale markets; supervising trading infrastructures that support those markets; the prudential regulation of firms not regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority; and reviewing and approving the issue of securities, operating the UK listing regime and monitoring market disclosures.
- Guidance on the application of laws and rules to innovative business models
- Support with authorisation to operate in our jurisdiction
- Live Sandbox testing environment
- Waivers or exemptions, for any entity meeting certain criteria
- Engagement with firms on regtech and suptech solutions
- Engagement with innovators and/or other third parties (e.g. academics, consultants and other organisations)
- Facilitating hackathons, TechSprints or similar events
Focus Area
- In scope – is the innovation intended for UK financial services markets?
- Genuine innovation – is the innovation new or a significantly different offering?
- Consumer benefit – does the innovation offer potential for benefit to consumers?
- Need for sandbox – does the applicant have a genuine need to test in the sandbox?
- Ready for testing – is the applicant ready to test the innovation in the market?
