The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced its five-year strategy aimed at deepening trust in the FCA itself and in financial services, rebalancing risk, supporting economic growth, helping customers navigate their financial lives and fighting financial crime. The FCA has also published the outcomes and metrics its aims to achieve in line with the strategy.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced a strategic partnership with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to promote safe and responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovation. The collaboration aims to support firms in the UK and Singapore in scaling and operating across markets. As part of the initiative, the FCA will establish a presence in Singapore by appointing a Financial Services Attaché at the British High Commission, forming part of a broader plan to expand into other priority markets in 2026. The partnership will involve joint testing of AI solutions, the exchange of regulatory insights and collaborative events highlighting best practices.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that Blackthorn Finance Ltd entered into special administration on 14 April 2025. Adam Stephens, Philip Hemming, and Kevin Ley of S&W Partners LLP have been appointed as joint special administrators. Blackthorn, which was authorised by the FCA to provide payment services, encountered financial difficulties after liquidators discovered insufficient assets to satisfy creditor claims. This situation arose despite previous FCA restrictions and efforts towards voluntary liquidation, ultimately leading to the special administration order. The special administrators are responsible for managing customer claims and returning funds where possible.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a Call for Input to simplify the retail conduct rules and guidance. The FCA want to address potential areas of complexity, duplication, confusion, or over-prescription, which create regulatory costs with limited or no consumer benefit. The FCA also want to include appropriate flexibility to be responsive to future changes and innovation. Responses are to be submitted by 31 October 2024.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced the reappointment of Nikhil Rathi as the FCA chief executive by the Chancellor for a second five-year term. Rathi’s new term will run until September 2030. HM Treasury has published its exchange of letters between the Chancellor and Rathi, highlighting their shared goals for the financial services sector and the FCA's role in supporting the government's growth objectives.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced the UK government’s approach aimed at bolstering economic growth and enhancing the financial services sector. These measures include simplification of regulatory procedures by stripping out data requests and retiring outdated supervisory documents, as well as introducing a new private stock market and streamlining the insurance rulebook. In addition, a roadmap for crypto regulation and initiatives to reimagine financial advice and guidance have been set out to stimulate investment and home ownership.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that Ziglu Limited, an authorised e-money and payment services firm, entered special administration on 7 July 2025 under the Payment and Electronic Money Institution Insolvency Regulations 2021, SI 2021/716. David Shambrook and Damian Webb of RSM Restructuring Advisory LLP have been appointed as joint special administrators. Ziglu also offered cryptoasset products, including a lending product, which are not regulated by the FCA, although the FCA oversees compliance with anti-money laundering regulations. On 23 May 2025, the FCA imposed restrictions on Ziglu in relation to certain products. On 17 June, Ziglu agreed to cease both payment and cryptoasset activities, while continuing to allow customer withdrawals. On 26 June, the firm’s directors applied to court for special administration after concluding the firm was insolvent. The special administrators are now responsible for managing customer claims and returning funds to customers. Further information, including how to make a claim, is expected to be provided within eight weeks of their appointment.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced the arrest of an individual on suspicion of market manipulation, fraud by false representation and forgery. The individual was arrested at their home in London, where investigators from the FCA and the Metropolitan Police carried out a search under warrant. The individual was interviewed under caution by the FCA and released on bail. The FCA states that its investigation is ongoing.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that, working with the Metropolitan Police Service, it has conducted an operation to arrest two individuals, aged 38 and 44, suspected of running a £1bn illegal cryptoasset exchange.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has updated its webpage on the bond consolidated tape (CT) with information on UK market hours, following its signing of a contract with Etrading Software (ETS) to provide the UK bond CT service. The contract requires the real-time CT service to be available during market hours and meet key performance indicators during those times. The FCA has agreed with ETS that these hours are between 8am to 6pm inclusive, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced changes to simplify supervisory communications by stopping the issuing and publishing of portfolio letters from 30 April 2025 and instead publishing market reports that include relevant communications and insights. Historical portfolio and Dear CEO letters will be marked as 'historical' but remain accessible. This change is part of the Consumer Duty Requirements Review aimed at smarter regulation. Firms are advised to continue using existing Dear CEO letters for guidance until the new market reports are available. Dear CEO Letters will still be used to address senior people management about significant issues requiring action.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that Dr Felix Martin has been appointed chair of its new, independent Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) Panel, which the Financial Services and Market Act 2023 (FSMA) requires it to establish and maintain.