The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured a two-year prison sentence against John Burford for defrauding over 100 investors out of £1m through his unauthorised firm, Financial Trading Strategies Limited, between 2016 and 2021. Burford pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation under the Fraud Act 2006 and three offences under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The FCA is pursuing confiscation proceedings to recover the proceeds and compensate victims.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured a redress scheme totalling $101m for UK and non-US investors affected by BlueCrest Capital Management (UK) LLP’s conflict of interest management between October 2011 and December 2015.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured the sentencing of Matthew West and Nikolas West for insider dealing offences with confiscation orders totalling over £280,000, reflecting the full value of the shares traded through criminal conduct, not just the profit made ( adjusted for inflation under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002). The pair were also given suspended prison sentences—15 months for Matthew and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and six months for Nikolas.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured court approval to obtain £1.6m from Argento Wealth Ltd (AWL) and its sole director Mr Daniel Willis, who promoted two alleged unlawful investment schemes.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured confiscation orders totalling £305,284 against three individuals previously convicted of investment fraud. The orders target Raheel Mirza, Cameron Vickers and Opeyemi Solaja, who were sentenced to a combined 24 and a half years in 2023 for operating a fraudulent scheme between June 2016 and January 2020. The scheme involved cold calling victims to invest in a shell company purportedly trading in binary options. The confiscated funds, representing all remaining assets of the defendants, are expected to be returned to the victims. Reuben Akpojaro's confiscation proceedings have been adjourned to a later date.

Law360, London: The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has said that it secured more than £442m for investors and consumers through redress arrangements, settlements and civil proceedings in the 2024 financial year, and pressed home the benefits of companies taking responsibility for their mistakes.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has secured an order of £4m against an unauthorised mortgage broker and its associates who exploited vulnerable customers.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published discussion paper DP24/4, Admissions & disclosures and market abuse regime for cryptoassets, seeking feedback on its plans to improve the transparency of the UK’s crypto markets. The FCA says clear crypto regulation will improve the integrity of the UK’s crypto markets, help protect people and support the UK's growth and competitiveness. Responses are sought by 14 March 2025.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published consultation paper ‘CP26/16, Registration of authorised fund assets’, which proposes changes to the UK authorised funds regime intended to preserve authorised alternative investment funds (authorised AIFs)’ ability to invest in private markets assets, including real estate, infrastructure and partnership vehicles, while maintaining investor protection. The consultation arises against the backdrop of growing concern among depositaries (the independent custodians appointed to hold and oversee fund assets) about the legal, financial and reputational risks associated with holding legal title to certain private market assets on behalf of authorised AIFs. The proposals are relevant to Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) pools because the pooling reforms move asset pool companies further into FCA-regulated structures, while CP26/16 addresses a regulatory issue that could otherwise make it harder for authorised funds used by pension schemes to invest in private market assets such as real estate, infrastructure and partnership vehicles. Responses to the FCA’s consultation are due by 9 July 2026.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is seeking input from stakeholders on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the UK financial services sector and the regulatory framework. The initiative is part of the AI Lab, which aims to promote growth and competitiveness in the sector. Responses are sought by 31 January 2025.The FCA is also hosting an AI Sprint on 29 and 30 January 2025, aiming to inform the FCA's regulatory approach to AI in financial services. The deadline for applications is 9 December 2024, and successful participants will be announced by the end of December 2024.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued a Dear CEO letter to Credit Reference Agencies (CRAs) and Credit Information Service Providers (CISPs), emphasising their systemic importance to the financial services market. The letter highlights the ongoing challenges posed by the rising cost of living and the increasing reliance on credit by consumers. It outlines the FCA's priority areas for the next two years, which include embedding the Consumer Duty, improving consumer support and understanding, ensuring price and fair value, enhancing operational and cyber resilience, and maintaining financial resilience.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published a letter sent by its director of consumer investments, Lucy Castledine, to chief executive officers (CEOs) regarding its expectations for self-invested personal pension (SIPP) operators.