UK industry groups urge the government to embed blockchain technology into the upcoming UK-US 'Tech Bridge' agreement, aiming to secure a leading position in global digital asset standards amidst growing international competition.
UK industry lobby groups are urging the government to include blockchain tech in the upcoming UK-US "Tech Bridge" agreement. This initiative, anticipated during President Donald Trump's state visit to the UK, is designed to promote cooperation in tech innovation between the two nations. Over a dozen trade associations representing sectors like finance, technology, and crypto recently sent a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby. They emphasized that distributed ledger technology (DLT) should be a “core strand” of the pact. They also warn that leaving blockchain out might mean the UK gets sidelined when it comes to setting global financial standards—especially as regions in the Middle East and Asia speed up their progress.
The letter points to stablecoins and tokenization as two especially strategic areas for both economies. Tokenization allows assets like bonds and bank deposits to be represented on blockchain ledgers, which could mean shorter settlement cycles and wider access for investors. Stablecoins—usually fiat-pegged and backed by liquid reserves—are increasingly making their way into mainstream finance. The UK government has been pretty active in shaping its regulatory environment, too. For example, the Treasury’s Cryptoassets Order 2025 aims to bring crypto exchanges, custodians, and issuers under the Financial Services and Markets Act. Meanwhile, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is consulting on licensing procedures for stablecoin issuance, crypto custody, and establishing a prudential regime to cover capital and conduct rules for crypto firms.
This push from the UK aligns with recent US regulatory advancements, like the groundbreaking stablecoin legislation Trump signed in July, which gives stablecoin issuers a federal regulatory framework. Without similar clarity from the UK side, there’s a risk it could fall behind the US, the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regime, and various pilot projects across Asia and the Middle East. Industry folks argue that the Tech Bridge could be a great opportunity to develop compatible standards—making sure these systems can work together smoothly and share safeguards for this emerging digital asset infrastructure. It’s especially important now because global organizations like the Financial Stability Board and the Bank for International Settlements are pushing for cheaper, more efficient cross-border payments and emphasizing the need for harmony in stablecoins, tokenized deposits, and central bank digital currencies as they start to coexist.
Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s 2022 pledge to make the UK a “global hub for cryptoasset technology” shows the government’s ambitions. But, honestly, a solid, comprehensive regulatory plan is still in the works. Without coordinated efforts—like through the Tech Bridge—UK firms might face fragmented rules, limited market access, and stiffer competition on the international stage. On top of that, domestic challenges remain; new tax rules are expected to require platforms to report customer data under the OECD’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework starting in 2026, which could mean extra compliance burdens and privacy concerns. Another issue is the restrictions on retail crypto-related products, which have held back some adoption, though reports suggest the FCA is considering relaxing these limits.
All in all, the Tech Bridge is a test of the UK’s ability and willingness to shape digital asset standards, rather than just following others. Including blockchain tech in the deal would be both a symbolic and practical move—aligning the UK more closely with the US on cutting-edge fintech developments and boosting Britain’s competitiveness in areas like tokenization and programmable money ecosystems.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://beincrypto.com/uk-lobby-groups-blockchain-tech-bridge/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
- https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/uk-us-tech-bridge-should-include-blockchain-lobby-groups-say - UK trade groups have urged the government to include blockchain technology in any deal on cooperation in technological innovation with the US, ahead of President Donald Trump's visit. In a letter to UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle, a dozen groups representing the finance, technology, and crypto sectors stated that distributed ledger technology should be a 'core strand' of the UK-US Tech Bridge. The letter emphasised that excluding digital assets would be a missed opportunity, potentially leaving Britain behind as other regions advance in setting financial standards.
- https://www.pymnts.com/cryptocurrency/2025/uk-and-us-to-collaborate-on-regulating-crypto-sector/ - The British government plans to collaborate with American officials to regulate the cryptocurrency industry. UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced talks to support the responsible growth of digital assets. Additionally, the British Treasury has published draft legislation on cryptocurrencies, with finalisation expected later this year. This initiative aims to position the UK as a leader in digital assets through international cooperation.
- https://www.qklw.com/lives/20250912/823041.html - Ahead of US President Trump's visit to the UK, British trade groups are urging the government to include blockchain technology in any scientific and technological innovation cooperation agreement with the United States. In a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle, over a dozen groups representing the financial, technology, and cryptocurrency sectors stated that distributed ledger technology should be a 'core part' of the 'UK-US Technology Bridge.' The letter emphasised that excluding digital assets would be a missed opportunity, potentially leaving the UK behind as other countries advance in developing financial standards.
- https://www.youtocoin.com/flash/282737.html - British trade groups are urging the government to include blockchain technology in any scientific and technological innovation cooperation agreement with the United States. In a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle, over a dozen groups representing the financial, technology, and cryptocurrency sectors stated that distributed ledger technology should be a 'core part' of the 'UK-US Technology Bridge.' The letter emphasised that excluding digital assets would be a missed opportunity, potentially leaving the UK behind as other countries advance in developing financial standards.
- https://www.mexc.com/lt-LT/news/uk-trade-groups-lobby-for-blockchain-technology-to-be-included-in-uk-us-tech-bridge/94255 - British trade groups are urging the government to include blockchain technology in any scientific and technological innovation cooperation agreement with the United States. In a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle, over a dozen groups representing the financial, technology, and cryptocurrency sectors stated that distributed ledger technology should be a 'core part' of the 'UK-US Technology Bridge.' The letter emphasised that excluding digital assets would be a missed opportunity, potentially leaving the UK behind as other countries advance in developing financial standards.
- https://www.techuk.org/accelerating-innovation/blockchain.html - techUK provides a united and recognised voice for the industry by representing the interests of techUK members in distributed ledger technology (DLT) industry forums, standards bodies, platform operators, and with other stakeholders. They position DLT as an emerging enterprise solution to establish trust for value and information exchanges. techUK considers actions taken to industrialise, support technology readiness, help organisations with adoption, and consider use cases across sectors.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We've since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The narrative is recent, dated 12 September 2025, and pertains to upcoming events, indicating high freshness. However, similar calls for blockchain inclusion in UK-US agreements have been made in the past, such as in April 2025. (cointelegraph.com) Additionally, the UK and US have previously reached commitments over data bridges, though not specifically for blockchain. (gov.uk)
Quotes check
Score: 9
Notes: The direct quotes from the letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle are unique to this narrative, with no exact matches found in earlier material, suggesting originality. However, similar sentiments have been expressed in previous communications, such as the April 2025 letter urging the UK government to make crypto a 'strategic priority'. (cointelegraph.com)
Source reliability
Score: 7
Notes: The narrative originates from BeInCrypto, a cryptocurrency-focused news outlet. While it provides timely coverage, its focus on the crypto sector may limit its general reliability. The report is corroborated by other reputable sources, including The Block and Crypto Economy, which enhances its credibility. (theblock.co)
Plausability check
Score: 8
Notes: The claims about UK trade bodies urging the government to include blockchain in the UK-US Tech Bridge are plausible and align with ongoing discussions about digital asset regulation. The emphasis on stablecoins and tokenization reflects current trends in the financial sector. The narrative also mentions recent UK regulatory developments, such as the Cryptoassets Order 2025 and FCA consultations, which are accurate and relevant. (gov.uk)
Overall assessment
Veredict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary: The narrative is recent and original, with corroboration from reputable sources. While similar calls have been made in the past, the current context and details suggest a genuine development. The source's focus on the crypto sector is noted, but the information aligns with known facts and ongoing discussions, supporting a high confidence in its accuracy.