header-logo header-logo

What future for cryptocurrency?

185055
Will the Labour government usher in a new era for digital assets? Keith Oliver & Amalia Neenan FitzGerald consider the evidence

Since its inception, crypto has often been perceived as the currency of the criminal. High-profile scandals are often splashed across the headlines, which at times have overshadowed the asset’s use as a viable alternative fiscal product, daring to push the boundaries of traditional fiat finance. For instance, in May, two men from the South West of England pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud after the pair admitted to spoofing the crypto-exchange website Blockchain.com and stealing in excess of £5.7m worth of cryptocurrency.

Their scheme allowed the men to access bitcoin wallets, drain the wallets of their funds, and take user login details. During its investigation, the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit identified 55 victims of the fraud in 26 countries, with 11 of those victims being UK based. This recent case again highlights the global magnitude of the problem.

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
back-to-top-scroll