The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has launched a consultation on a series of proposed rules for the cryptocurrency industry. This comes after the UK government announced it would regulate the sector from October 2027. An FCA study also revealed that the percentage of UK adults holding cryptocurrency has fallen from 12% to 8% in the past year. The FCA's proposals cover cryptocurrency listings, insider trading and market manipulation, trading platform standards, and broker rules. The consultation also includes prudential requirements, regulation of cryptocurrency staking risks, cryptocurrency lending protections, and risk management measures for cryptocurrency companies. The deadline for comments on the proposals is February 12, 2026, and the FCA plans to finalize the regulatory framework by the end of next year. (Reuters)