The Trump administration’s regulatory shift on cryptocurrencies is reshuffling the deck in terms of how they are viewed globally. In response to this situation, the United Kingdom has just announced closer cooperation with the United States.
Cryptocurrencies: towards closer collaboration between the United Kingdom and the United States
Until now, mistrust has been the norm when it comes to the regulatory treatment of cryptocurrencies. Then the Trump administration arrived at the White House and this safe distance gave way to a whole new competitive reality, making the most favorable jurisdiction the next preferred destination for players in this ecosystem.
Faced with this unprecedented acceleration, the European Union—and its MiCA regulatory framework—is discussing the development of its digital euro and the monitoring of crypto transactions. This is a very different tone from that adopted by the United Kingdom, whose Chancellor Rachel Reeves clearly wants to accelerate regulatory alignment with the United States.
This statement comes during Donald Trump’s official visit, which is currently underway. It is an opportunity for the British Finance Minister to meet with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is known for his favorable stance on cryptocurrencies.
According to people familiar with the matter, cited by the Financial Times, the discussions between the two senior officials reportedly focused on closer cooperation between the UK and the US on issues such as capital markets and cryptocurrencies.
A “huge opportunity” for Britain
The meeting was attended by leading figures from the US cryptocurrency sector, such as the cryptocurrency exchange platform Coinbase, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin Circle and Ripple (XRP), as well as Citi, Bank of America and Barclays.
According to statements made by some participants, the topic of cryptocurrencies—including the current rise of stablecoins—was a major focus of the discussions. This omnipresence was motivated by what one participant described as a “huge opportunity for the UK” to unlock their adoption in Britain once and for all.
On her official Twitter account, Rachel Reeves was quick to point out how this rapprochement with the United States offers “investment and opportunities for both countries.”
Indeed, she hopes that this enhanced regulatory alignment will open up privileged access for British companies to one of the deepest and most liquid financial markets in the world. At the same time, it is an opportunity to consider making the UK more attractive to US investment.
