A Transatlantic Benchmark For Digital Finance
U.S. and U.K. Unite on Digital Asset Regulations to Foster Innovation and Trust
The United States and the United Kingdom have announced the Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future, a joint initiative designed to align oversight of digital assets and deepen cooperation on capital markets. Launched in London by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, the effort highlights the continuing role of New York and London as the twin pillars of global finance.
Over the next 180 days, the task force will deliver its first set of recommendations through the U.K.–U.S. Financial Regulatory Working Group. The focus is practical and aimed at building momentum in several priority areas:
- Accelerating regulatory alignment on digital assets, with emphasis on stablecoins, tokenization, and wholesale market infrastructure
- Easing cross-border fundraising to make capital flows more seamless
- Harmonizing disclosure requirements across jurisdictions
- Bridging the regulatory approaches of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Supporting innovation through supervision that integrates rather than fragments
Industry participation is already underway. Stakeholders from both the crypto sector and traditional finance – including Coinbase, Circle, Ripple, Citi, Bank of America, and Barclays – have joined the discussions to help shape the task force’s agenda. Their involvement is designed to ensure that the group’s recommendations reflect real market practices and can be implemented effectively across two of the world’s most influential financial jurisdictions.
Why This Matters
If the task force succeeds, it could set a global benchmark for digital-asset oversight that balances innovation with market integrity. Closer alignment between the U.S. and U.K. should also reduce regulatory fragmentation, lowering friction for firms that need to operate seamlessly across borders.
For compliance leaders, this means clearer expectations on stablecoin governance, custody standards, and disclosure obligations, with a stronger emphasis on transparency, accountability, and early risk detection.
At StarCompliance (Star), we view the task force as part of a broader shift toward cross-border consistency in digital finance. The bar for governance is rising: large institutions will increasingly be expected to meet harmonized standards that travel well between Washington and London and by extension influence other markets.
Three Things Compliance Should Focus on Now
1. Prepare for dual-jurisdiction standards
Assume the U.S. and U.K. will converge around core rules for stablecoins, custody, and disclosures. Review your policy stack and control testing now so your program can withstand simultaneous scrutiny from both regulators without re-engineering under deadline pressure.
2. Strengthen data and reporting frameworks
Transparency will be the through-line. Test whether your systems can produce timely, regulator-ready reports on digital-asset activities, cross-border capital raising, and employee exposure such as conflicts or personal trading. Aim for one source of truth that supports exams in either jurisdiction.
3. Engage early in rulemaking.
The task force will invite industry input. Track consultations, submit comments, and prepare board-level briefings on changes. Early engagement not only reduces compliance surprises, but it also positions your firm to shape practical standards that can be implemented efficiently.
Is Your Crypto Trading Compliance Program Up to Speed?
As cryptocurrency trading grows, so do the regulatory risks. Without the right compliance platform, firms risk hidden employee trading, undeclared accounts, MNPI abuse, and regulatory scrutiny.
Download Star’s free Crypto Compliance Platform Checklist to:
- Evaluate your current compliance solution against industry best practices
- Identify gaps in monitoring, surveillance, and reporting
- Ensure your firm is prepared to meet evolving crypto regulations
How StarCompliance Can Help
As regulatory expectations continue to evolve, firms will need modern tools to manage oversight of digital asset activities. Star’s Crypto Dealings Compliance Software provides the visibility and control required to monitor employee trading, identify potential conflicts, and ensure compliance with emerging standards across multiple jurisdictions. With automated pre-clearance, real-time monitoring, and detailed reporting capabilities, Star helps compliance teams stay ahead of evolving rules while protecting both firms and employees.
To learn more about Star’s future-ready compliance solutions and to schedule a demo, click [HERE].
Is Your Crypto Trading Compliance Program Up to Speed?
