Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will take steps with the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure that securities issued on blockchain can be clearly distinguished from crypto asset service providers.

Under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, a cryptoasset business will be required to register with the Financial Conduct Authority if it is a firm or sole practitioner that provides cryptoasset exchange or custodian wallet services by way of business.

Securities are financial instruments giving rise to claims against the issuer, and are not businesses in and of themselves. Therefore, although a cryptoasset business may issue securities on the blockchain that confer an ownership interest in the business, these securities would be legally distinct from the business itself.