The rule.
“GEN 1.2 (Referring to approval by the FCA)”
Verbatim extract, read on 4 November 2026 from the source below. Everything else on this page is NorthPoint’s plain-English reading.
What it requires.
- The guidance lists requirements outside COBS 4 that also apply: Principle 7 (communications with clients), GEN 1.2 (referring to approval by the FCA) and GEN 4.5 (statements about authorisation and regulation by the appropriate regulator).
- It also notes the registered person must keep records of the promotions it communicates under COBS 4.11.
Who it applies to.
Registered persons communicating financial promotions relating to qualifying cryptoassets.
Common violations in marketing copy.
FCA approved crypto exchange.
Registration under the Money Laundering Regulations is not FCA approval of the firm or its products.
Fully regulated by the FCA — invest with confidence.
Overstates the firm's regulatory status and implies protection that does not exist.
Non-compliant vs compliant.
“Trusted. Regulated. FCA approved.”
“[Firm] is registered with the FCA under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 for cryptoasset activity. Cryptoassets are not covered by the FSCS.”
Related rules.
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COBS 4.1.7CR · United Kingdom
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COBS 4.12A.11R(1)(d) · United Kingdom
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COBS 4.10.3G(8) · 4.10.9AR(4) · United Kingdom
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EU and UK side by side.
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UK cryptoasset financial promotions (FSMA s21, the FPO and FCA COBS).
Source.
| Instrument | FCA Handbook, COBS (as amended by the Cryptoasset Financial Promotions Instrument 2023, FCA 2023/27) |
|---|---|
| Provision | COBS 4.1.7DG |
| Primary source | https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/instrument/2023/FCA_2023_27.pdf |
| Official text | https://www.handbook.fca.org.uk/handbook/COBS/4/ |
| Read from | FCA 2023/27 as made (in force 8 October 2023), read from the FCA Handbook instrument PDF; the consolidated Handbook page is a script-rendered app the build session could not read |
| Checked |
This page is general, sourced information for marketing teams, not legal advice. The examples are written by NorthPoint to illustrate the rule; for a binding view on your own promotion, retain qualified counsel in the jurisdiction concerned.