PULSE • INDUSTRY ROUND-UP
Pulse FCA sharpens focus on crypto regulation THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) opened three consultations on December 12, 2025, regarding proposed rules and guidance for firms conducting regulated crypto asset activities, marking a key step in the UK’s effort to bring digital assets fully within its regulatory perimeter. The consultation, which runs until February 2, 2026, is intended to support the development of a competitive and sustainable crypto asset sector in the UK, while further strengthening consumer protection and market integrity.
TIM RENEW has been appointed Chief Executive of BCB Group, taking up the role at the end of January 2026 as the company enters a new phase of expansion. Co-founder Oliver Tonkin becomes President. The leadership changes reflect BCB’s ambition to scale its customer base, attract new investors and accelerate its geographical growth after a year of strong momentum. BCB has pushed hard to build a global presence. The company has invested in strengthening its management team, expanding its product proposition and raising fresh capital from investors. Renew joined BCB as Chief Revenue Officer in July 2024, becoming Deputy CEO shortly afterwards. His promotion signals the company’s intent to strengthen its commercial engine as it prepares for its next chapter. Tim Renew, the newly appointed Chief Executive, said: “It is a real privilege to step into this role. BCB Group has achieved a huge amount in the past 12 months and there is a genuine sense of momentum across the business. Renew takes helm as BCB expands
its growth journey. Its Series B raise is nearing completion, a process that has brought new voices into the business and reinforced confidence in its long term strategy. At the same time, BCB has been widening its global reach. The team has focused on deepening its regulatory presence in key regions so that clients can operate with greater certainty as the digital asset landscape matures. This work is shaping the company’s expansion plans for the year ahead, with new markets opening and existing ones becoming more active. Tonkin said the timing of his move to become President represents an exciting step for the business. He said: “BCB has grown rapidly over the past year, and Tim’s promotion marks the start of yet another chapter. We have strengthened our leadership team, broadened our product offering and continued to win the confidence of clients and investors around the world. “My focus now is to support that momentum and help ensure we scale in a way that stays true to the values we founded the company on. Tim brings deep experience and a global
Firms operating across the crypto asset value chain have been encouraged by the FCA to engage with the process and provide feedback on the proposed framework. The FCA is also holding workshops with firms already operating in or wishing to enter the sector. “As a company that holds itself to the highest standards of regulation and views it as central to all operations, BCB Group welcomes the FCA’s deep engagement with the future of digital assets in the UK,” said James Sullivan, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer at BCB Group. “Clear and proportionate rules are essential to building trust and supporting the long-term growth of the sector.” Designed to inform the UK’s developing regulatory regime, the consultation examines how the unique characteristics of crypto assets should be reflected within existing financial services rules, while addressing risks that differ from those associated with traditional instruments. The Regulating Crypto Asset Activities paper outlines the FCA’s
proposals to regulating a broad range of crypto asset activities, including trading platforms, brokerage, custody, lending and borrowing, staking arrangements and decentralised finance. According to the regulator, the proposals aim to ensure that firms operating in the sector meet standards comparable to those applied across traditional financial markets, particularly in areas such as governance, risk management, disclosures and operational resilience. Same risk, same regulation. The FCA has said this approach is intended to enable innovation while maintaining high regulatory standards. The proposals set out in the paper have been shaped by extensive engagement with crypto-native firms, traditional financial institutions, consumers and overseas regulators. The consultation also builds on feedback gathered through earlier discussion papers and policy roundtables held by the FCA with the industry throughout 2025, reflecting the regulator’s increasingly proactive engagement with the sector. industry, reducing financial barriers and increasing visibility for women’s and youth teams. “This recognition reflects our core belief that digital finance should be accessible to all. Our work with Spencer Hockey Club allows us to bring education and opportunity to new audiences — and to demonstrate what responsible, community-driven sponsorship can achieve,” said Tim Renew, BCB Group's CEO. The initiative aligns with BCB Group’s broader diversity strategy, which includes supporting women through tech boot camps and working with specialist partners to widen access to careers in crypto and fintech.
“We have a strong team, supportive clients and investors, and a product set that is resonating globally. My focus now is on helping us scale in a way that feels structured, collaborative and enjoyable for everyone involved. “I have spent my career building relationships across the fintech, banking and web3 worlds and I am excited to continue that work with a company with such clear potential.” BCB enters 2026 with a clear sense of direction. The company has spent the past year strengthening its foundations, building closer
network that will serve us well as we move into this next phase.”
relationships with investors and preparing for the next stage of
BCB GROUP has launched its pioneering loyalty programme, BLINC Rewards, to mark the network’s anniversary. To celebrate the year-on-year BCB launches client rewards
BLINC was built with them, and it has grown because of them. BLINC Rewards is our way of saying thank you. It strengthens our ecosystem by rewarding people for contributing to it. This is about deepening relationships and recognising the network effects our customers create every day,” said Squire. Now recognised as a core layer of the global digital-asset economy, the network has processed more than $200bn in transaction volume, linking over 400 institutional clients and creating 79,800 potential settlement connections across the global digital-asset ecosystem.
Multiple awards for BCB Group
2025 saw a wave of industry recognition for BCB Group, reflecting its rapid growth and a series of successful initiatives delivered throughout the year. The company secured six shortlistings across individual, team and campaign categories at the Financial Promoter Awards 2025, positioning BCB among the most widely recognised firms in this year’s competition. "Last year, we delivered multi- channel campaigns across global jurisdictions, supported BCB’s regulatory-first growth agenda,
and built a brand that reflects the strength of our partnerships and people,” said Sam Shrager, Chief Marketing Officer at BCB Group, at the time of the shortlisting. On the night, the team was awarded Partnership Initiative of the Year for its work with South London’s Spencer Hockey Club. Further success followed as Marketing Executive Amber Walduck received the prestigious Young Financial Promoter of the Year award. BCB’s work with Spencer Hockey Club has become a model for values- led engagement in the digital finance
success of BLINC, the rewards system has been designed to provide clients with rewards in response to how actively they are using the platform. Tom Squire, BCB Group’s Chief Revenue Officer, said the development reflects the firm’s gratitude for its clients from launch to annual success.
As BLINC enters its next phase of growth, expanding into new currencies and preparing for integration with stablecoin and tokenised-asset settlement will be an increasing priority.
“We’ve always been deeply committed to our customers,
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