In a week where the British government is losing Cabinet ministers on an almost daily basis as a result of party in fighting over the Brexit negotiations, making the pound sterling plunge in value, the UK’s financial regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has taken a bold step forward in recognising the potential of blockchain-based startups.
The FCA started a regulatory ‘sandbox’ some time ago in 2016 and it has just added its fourth cohort of startups to the process. The FCA received a total of 69 applications to participate in the exploration, and this week it has added 11 of the 29 successfully accepted applicants.
In its announcement regarding Cohort 4, the FCA revealed, “Applications came from a diverse range of firms operating across the financial services sector including in areas such as consumer credit, automated advice and insurance.”
The FCA also said, “We have accepted a number of firms that will be testing propositions relating to cryptoassets. We are keen to explore whether, in a controlled environment, consumer benefits can be delivered while effectively managing the associated risks.”
The startups in Cohort 4
One of the businesses in this cohort is 20/30. This London based financial firm is using the DLT to allow “companies to raise capital in a more efficient and streamlined way,” and it is partnering with the London Stock Exchange and Nivaura. According to the FCA’s press release, 20/30 will be issuing an equity token on the Ethereum blockchain. Capexmove, also in this new cohort is offering a similar service.
Another that stands out is called ‘Chasing Returns’. This startup is described as “Psychology-based risk platform that promotes good money management discipline and improves outcomes for customers that trade Contracts for Difference (CfDs). It acts like a digital coach, encouraging adherence to money management and risk exposure levels.”
While for those people with ID problems, ‘Community First Credit Union’ offers an “Initiative to facilitate creation of an identity token that supports customers who lack traditional forms of ID, in order to assist them in accessing bank account services in the UK.”
The latter perhaps answers the issues that many British immigrants have faced recently, most notably those who arrived from the Caribbean on the ‘Windrush’ and in recent months have found themselves at risk of deportation, because of lack of documentation establishing their British citizenship and right to stay.
The FCA has chosen a fascinating selection of startups for Cohort 4 and indicates its willingness to be open-minded and inclusive when it comes to envisioning a future for blackchain-based businesses. It certainly seems to be making better progress with blockchain than the government is with Brexit.