Ex-London Stock Exchange Chief Says UK Should Embrace Crypto Post-Brexit

"It is a good example of a policy area where independence allows us to be more agile," said Xavier Rolet and others in a blog post.

AccessTimeIconFeb 24, 2021 at 4:14 p.m. UTC
Updated Aug 19, 2021 at 7:28 a.m. UTC
Static Headline: Amazing Event
Static Subheadline: Oct 24, 2023 - City, StateStatic description: Where the industry establishes the digital economy’s legal, regulatory and compliance best practices for the future.Subscribe Today

Xavier Rolet, the former CEO of London Stock Exchange, has called on the U.K. government to position itself to capitalize on the cryptocurrency boom and attract the "best brains" to help prepare policies around the tech.

A blog post co-authored by Rolet, now the non-executive chairman of Shore Capital Markets, states that, in the post-Brexit era, the U.K. government needs to understand cryptocurrencies in order to place City of London and the nation at the center of a "reputable and safe" financial market. 

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • “Doing so will not be easy, none of this stuff is, but it is essential to be well-positioned, otherwise the cryptocurrency market will pass the UK by," warns the post.

    Co-written by Shore Capital Markets senior political adviser Matthew Elliott and Dr. Clive Black, head of research at the firm, it also highlights the advancing adopting of digital assets.

    "Cryptocurrency is not going away and whilst self-serving entrepreneurs like Elon Musk are reverse broking the instrument, the fact is that important institutions of the state (e.g., China) and commerce (e.g., Mastercard and BNY Mellon) are now embracing crypto-currency," they write.

    Providing U.K. regulators can develop a shared global regulatory framework in conjunction with global central banks, "it is a good example of a policy area where [post-Brexit] independence allows us to be more agile," per the post.

    The authors add that any new regulation needs to be combined with a "functioning new immigration platform to attract and keep the best global talent in the U.K."

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information has been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. In November 2023, CoinDesk was acquired by the Bullish group, owner of Bullish, a regulated, digital assets exchange. The Bullish group is majority-owned by Block.one; both companies have interests in a variety of blockchain and digital asset businesses and significant holdings of digital assets, including bitcoin. CoinDesk operates as an independent subsidiary with an editorial committee to protect journalistic independence. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive options in the Bullish group as part of their compensation.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.