Submission to the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG Parliamentary Inquiry into Access to Banking Services

Access to banking services remains one of the biggest obstacles facing Bitcoin users and businesses in the UK.In this audio version of Bitcoin Policy UK’s August 2026 submission to the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG Parliamentary Inquiry into Access to Banking Services for the UK Crypto and Digital Assets Sector, we argue that, despite progress towards a comprehensive UK regulatory framework, blanket restrictions on lawful Bitcoin-related banking activity remain widespread and may actually be getting worse. The submission examines evidence that UK banks continue to block or limit transfers to exchanges, restrict banking access for digital asset businesses and, in some cases, apply the same broad risk treatment to Bitcoin as to very different cryptoassets. Recent industry research cited in the paper suggests around 40% of bank-to-exchange transfers are blocked or delayed, while several major banks maintain outright blocks. It considers why these restrictions persist, including genuine fraud concerns, AML obligations, regulatory uncertainty and institutional risk aversion. BPUK argues, however, that these concerns should lead to individual, risk-based assessment rather than blanket restrictions, particularly where customers are dealing with FCA-registered businesses. The paper also looks at approaches taken in France and Hong Kong before setting out four recommendations for the UK: distinguish Bitcoin from other cryptoassets when assessing risk; require banks to explain restrictions and provide an appeal process; give banks clearer assurance that they can rely on FCA registration; and publish regular data showing the scale of banking restrictions affecting the sector.📄 Read the full written paper here:👉  Submission to the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG Parliamentary Inquiry into Access to Banking ServicesTo find out more about Bitcoin Policy UK's work and how you can get involved, visit:https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/