UK Grants Legal Status to 3 Crypto Types Under New Digital Property Law

The United Kingdom has finally given digital assets the same legal rights as traditional property. This came after the Property...

Quick overview

  • The UK has granted digital assets the same legal rights as traditional property through the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act.
  • This legislation provides clear rules for bankruptcy, estate processes, and safeguards for consumers regarding digital assets.
  • Experts believe the new law will enhance confidence among institutional investors in the UK's crypto market.
  • The UK aims to align its regulations with international standards and explore new rules for digital asset usage in politics.

The United Kingdom has finally given digital assets the same legal rights as traditional property. This came after the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act got the royal seal of approval – and with that, a lot of uncertainty around digital assets has been sorted out. For years now, UK courts have been making up the rules as they went along on this one, treating digital tokens as property only on a case-by-case basis.

But now there’s a clear rule book and all the required safeguards in place for insolvency, bankruptcy, and estate settlement. Freddie New, policy chief from Bitcoin Policy UK, made the point that the law means that crypto owners have the same level of legal certainty as people who own the old-fashioned kind of assets

  • Includes cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and approved digital tokens in its remit.
  • Covers bankruptcy and estate processes, too
  • Finally resolves all those doubts that individual investors had been left with

Making Life Easier for Consumers

Crypto UK has hailed the legislation as a breakthrough – and one that provides a rock-solid safeguard for consumers, allowing them to get back digital assets that have been nicked, and ensuring that when people go bust, they don’t mess things up for crypto owners. In the past, getting any legal redress for crypto disputes was a bit of a lottery – and the results could vary wildly.

Experts say that having clear property rights will also boost the confidence of big institutional investors in the UK’s crypto market. For the first time, investors and financial institutions will benefit from statutory protections. So they won’t have to worry so much about getting into arguments over who owns what.

  • Gives people a better chance of getting back digital assets that have been stolen.
  • Gives crypto holders and institutions a stronger legal footing
  • Shows that the UK government is committed to keeping up with the times when it comes to financial regulation

UK Seeks to Catch Up with the Rest of the World

The new law comes at a time when the UK is trying to stay in step with the international community. Analysts at the Digital Monetary Institute at OMFIF have pointed out that if the rules aren’t clear, the UK risks losing some of its market share. So the UK and the US have been working together on this one – and even set up a task force to look at things like this in the future.

The UK authorities are also exploring new ideas for regulating digital assets, including a possible ban on using cryptocurrencies to make campaign donations in the new Elections Bill. Big crypto companies like Coinbase and Ripple are pleased with the direction of things, seeing this as a key opportunity to grow and shine in the UK.

  • Aligns the UK’s laws with those of the US.
  • It is looking at new rules for how digital assets are used in politics.
  • Will make the UK a more attractive place for people and businesses interested in working with crypto.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Arslan Butt
Lead Markets Analyst – Multi-Asset (FX, Commodities, Crypto)
Arslan Butt serves as the Lead Commodities and Indices Analyst, bringing a wealth of expertise to the field. With an MBA in Behavioral Finance and active progress towards a Ph.D., Arslan possesses a deep understanding of market dynamics. His professional journey includes a significant role as a senior analyst at a leading brokerage firm, complementing his extensive experience as a market analyst and day trader. Adept in educating others, Arslan has a commendable track record as an instructor and public speaker. His incisive analyses, particularly within the realms of cryptocurrency and forex markets, are showcased across esteemed financial publications such as ForexCrunch, InsideBitcoins, and EconomyWatch, solidifying his reputation in the financial community.

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