2026-04-27T05:47:51Z https://nostr.now bitcoinpolicyuk https://nostr.now/npub1z74dj8y9xgq3lmz3eyvarzmwxwllhuzewz2exwz5j57tf6jssmss9pd4yx https://m.primal.net/LqDQ.png https://m.primal.net/LqDQ.png https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs98nrs9arkew4dgaqk8d456lxelctt38ykdpqjl5rfgnmq237s5cqzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwznp3c6g Who really controls Britain&#39;s digital state?<br/><br/>MPs have warned that Palantir&#39;s growing presence in the UK public sector represents an “unacceptable point of weakness”.<br/><br/>Its government work includes:<br/><br/>- The National Health Service
- Ministry of Defence
- Financial Conduct Authority<br/><br/>Palantir insists the government retains control of its data, but owning the data and being able to walk away from the technology are two very different things.<br/><br/>If the government can&#39;t realistically change suppliers, who holds the power?<br/><br/>Our latest blog investigates access to sensitive government systems, the revolving door between government and technology companies, vendor lock-in and Britain&#39;s growing dependence on a handful of US suppliers.<br/><br/>Read the full article in our blog here:<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/who-is-gaining-control-of-britain’s-digital-state">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/who-is-gaining-control-of-britain’s-digital-state</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> 2026-10-25T10:25:36Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdpnkx26j4n2hc05t9sezcnw60xwufett0ums273v93h6m9259s7qzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzm396wq Could HMRC&#39;s proposed new powers put Bitcoin holders at greater risk of physical attack?<br/><br/>HMRC wants to expand its powers to demand information from crypto businesses, but UK tax software firm Recap warns that the draft definition could also capture businesses that never hold customer funds, including:<br/><br/>- Tax software providers
- Wallet manufacturers
- Block explorers<br/><br/>Once a name and home address are linked to a Bitcoin address, that connection can remain long after a tax inquiry has ended. If the information falls into the wrong hands, it could expose individuals to theft, extortion or physical attacks.<br/><br/>Read the full article on our blog. <br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/hmrc%E2%80%99s-proposed-crypto-powers-could-raise-physical-security-risks">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/hmrc%E2%80%99s-proposed-crypto-powers-could-raise-physical-security-risks</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> 2026-10-18T08:34:23Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrhv9a3tumm50jaed4v9f7csnnsc2w9h6l4z0dndg2pdkc4nmga9szyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwz03kdm7 Bitcoin is not a generic cryptoasset.<br/>We’ve written to the FCA arguing that “same risk, same regulation” should work both ways.<br/><br/>Bitcoin has no issuer, no controlling company and no organisation that can change its supply or allocate tokens to insiders.<br/><br/>It is not asking for special treatment. It is asking to be regulated according to the risks it actually presents.<br/><br/>Read the full article and open letter:<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-is-not-a-generic-cryptoasset-our-open-letter-to-the-fca">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-is-not-a-generic-cryptoasset-our-open-letter-to-the-fca</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> 2026-10-11T07:47:22Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspgf6s2lrhtc7rd49eg4n4h2h2m5fv300hd2v07k58q2uvpv6taaczyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwz32v859 The risk is not the tax bill. <br/><br/>It is a home address tied to a history that never disappears.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqs0j9jvld5qxfaezsgjq6mq8lm7f6rqzujcpqggd3rms5vw7awmc6qd0gsyg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…gsyg</a></span> </div> HMRC wants more power over financial data. The problem is that Bitcoin is not a bank account.<br/><br/>Once names, home addresses and tax IDs are linked to a Bitcoin address, that information can stay connected to a public ledger indefinitely.<br/><br/>Europe is already seeing the consequences when crypto holders’ identities and holdings are exposed.<br/><br/>France saw 19 verified physical attacks on crypto holders in 2025. A French tax official was charged after using government software to look up crypto investors' details and passing data to criminals.<br/><br/>I spoke to HM Revenue & Customs, Recap, BULL BITCOIN and Knightbridge Tax about what the UK and EU rules could mean for privacy, self-custody and physical security.<br/><br/>Tax enforcement should not create a target list.<br/><br/>My latest for Forbes.<br/><br/><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2026/10/08/hmrcs-proposed-crypto-powers-could-increase-physical-security-risks/">https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2026/10/08/hmrcs-proposed-crypto-powers-could-increase-physical-security-risks/</a> </blockquote> 2026-10-08T08:05:45Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsyw74y72jzct46jx5he225flzyn84rdw0njktv5e9q89jpawl4l4czyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzrljxqa Stablecoin rules aren&#39;t aimed at Bitcoin, but the wording can reach further than intended. The Banking Act framework behind the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) joint stablecoin regime covers &#34;digital settlement assets&#34;, a legal category that isn&#39;t limited to stablecoins.<br/><br/>In our response we asked both regulators to confirm the regime applies to identifiable firms, not to:<br/>- open source protocols<br/>- non custodial wallets<br/>- node operators<br/>- Lightning routing<br/><br/>We also asked how smaller issuers would be given enough time to meet the Bank’s rules.<br/>Read the full article and our submission: <br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-calls-for-a-clear-route-through-stablecoin-regulation">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-calls-for-a-clear-route-through-stablecoin-regulation</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> <br/> 2026-10-04T08:01:30Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs9sr4awser52muxwvarrwa65f5mz7hy00t2lqucmnvefwyrcg66qczyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwze5z3fr Labour conference is back in Liverpool. <br/><br/>Last year Bitcoin Policy UK turned up with orange umbrellas and a stand in the main exhibition hall.<br/><br/>We:<br/><br/>- Put Bitcoin on the conference floor<br/>- Spoke to the FCA<br/>- Put Bitcoin books into politicians’ hands*<br/>- Took mining into the energy debate<br/>- Asked Peter Kyle about the UK&#39;s bitcoin<br/>- Spoke to MPs about UK Bitcoin policy<br/><br/>A year later, Bitcoin is being used on stage as a political punchline.<br/><br/>We’ll keep making sure the people writing the rules understand Bitcoin.<br/><br/>This was a huge team effort. Thank you to everyone who made it what it was.<br/><br/>* Lawrence Lepard&#39;s The Big Print and Jason Maier’s A Progressive’s Case for Bitcoin . Thank you both.<br/><br/>H/t Russell Rukin for the umbrellas, booth and beautiful leaflets, Alex Glasse for filming and getting our very own “distracted boyfriend” moment and The Bitcoin IFA for spotting us on the news.<br/><br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/75cbf72239264cef2e5e510269f8cc29fc095563822eedf34b8eb1a461595afe.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/630045e2b785eb326cdbaa7c6b6dbaa1514a94ac4862d55b0eae301bc3f4ec42.jpg"> 2026-09-30T17:32:16Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdduqv8luz2dkcd0sm8wldsrgk6dz9zmepqye960y2npxztz5n2sqzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzdag8jk Our CEO <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsthy887pf36j465w0ls5y32a6rf7m06whlnnacmgn4rx0zg845alcpp3mhxue69uhkyunz9e5k7qgjwaehxw309ahkvenrdpskjm3wwp6ky2tktas" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…ktas</span>)</a></span> was on two panels at <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqs89v5v46jcd8uzv3f7dudsvpt8ntdm3927eqypyjy37yx5l6a30fcpr9mhxue69uhkummnw3ezucm9wf3kzarjdamxztndv5q3vamnwvaz7tmjv4kxz7fwdehhxarj9e3xzmnyvstyua" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>BTCHEL</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…tyua</span>)</a></span> in Helsinki.<br/><br/>- Will Bitcoin break the EU?<br/>- Who’s writing Europe’s Bitcoin policy?<br/><br/>You can have a framework that looks open and still be shut out in practice. In the UK the rulebook is already being written while the strategy is still being debated.<br/><br/>Her recap is below.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqsdj3k9dgvh5amgtzhdmrwz3mw08z0nfxl64e36e4cfw55ea45c92c6u6stj" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…6stj</a></span> </div> Bitcoin is being regulated in Europe and the UK before policymakers have really understood what Bitcoin is.<br/><br/>At <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqs89v5v46jcd8uzv3f7dudsvpt8ntdm3927eqypyjy37yx5l6a30fcpp4mhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mqpr4mhxue69uhkummnw3ez6ur4vgh8wetvd3hhyer9wghxuet5mfj84c" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>BTCHEL</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…j84c</span>)</a></span>, the first panel set out three approaches: <br/><br/>- Protect sovereignty and self custody<br/>- Work within MiCA and regulated rails<br/>- Push back when state power goes too far<br/><br/>The second panel asked who is writing Bitcoin policy across Europe. <br/><br/>Brussels, national regulators, courts, governments and parliaments each write a piece, but banks still decide whether you get an account or can send a payment. <br/><br/>You can have a law that looks open but you can still be shut out in practice. Lawful Bitcoin payments are already being blocked, accounts restricted, and customers made to jump through hoops that have nothing to do with the statute.<br/><br/>In the UK the FCA, Treasury and Bank of England are already writing the rulebook, while Parliament is still debating what an overarching digital asset strategy should look like. <br/><br/>By 2030, Europe will have written more law around Bitcoin. If it is still being treated as just another cryptoasset, the rules may never properly account for what makes Bitcoin different.<br/><br/>We still have a long way to go, but thank you to my fellow panellists for all their work. <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/528a1d38a77c656be758e80fa14048bf9ed42909f89fc4dc293642c5dd1fcb83.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/ab8d2b5cdce6db46a4380ab522806de19016d027210011aa40ae330876d79df8.jpg"> </blockquote> 2026-09-28T12:01:35Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdh7ws6mc0v5je8fnfxeg2p9rgjqjv72gr368ffll4jxrd4v0gkxszyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwznd2csd Bitcoin Policy UK has ended its consolidation phase and is moving into its next stage with a clearer structure and renewed focus.<br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsthy887pf36j465w0ls5y32a6rf7m06whlnnacmgn4rx0zg845alcpp3mhxue69uhkyunz9e5k7qgcwaehxw309aex2mrp0yh8xmn0wf6zuum0vd5kzmqenyh4k" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…yh4k</span>)</a></span> Violet Ward has resumed the role of CEO, with Cristina Llamas leading operations as COO.<br/><br/>Even while operating at reduced capacity, the work continued. During consolidation BPUK:<br/><br/>- responded to FCA Consultation Paper CP25/40 on cryptoasset regulation<br/>- sent its 2026 Manifesto to all 650 MPs<br/>- responded to the Government’s Digital ID consultation<br/>- published research on the structural risks of Bitcoin treasury companies<br/>- published and updated the BPUK Privacy Toolkit<br/>- responded to HMRC on stablecoin taxation<br/>- submitted evidence on banking access<br/>- responded to HMRC on cryptoasset lending<br/>- responded to the Bank of England on systemic stablecoins<br/><br/>Susie said, “Bitcoin has no CEO, no head office and no central body speaking for it. Bitcoin does not need permission. Our job is to make sure policymakers understand how it works and where rules built around issuers and intermediaries do not fit.”<br/><br/>BPUK remains a small, independent team run by volunteers with limited resources, but consolidation is over and we are excited about what comes next.<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-ends-consolidation-and-enters-next-phase">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-ends-consolidation-and-enters-next-phase</a> 2026-09-27T06:42:08Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqst0vypm8m4gzwnc6ytpfchurjugqfspn42m8l8pugcfs4rlxnqg5qzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzfqu6fp Now available to listen to on ‘On the Record&#39; by Bitcoin Policy UK.<br/><br/>This episode covers our response to HMRC’s draft rules on Bitcoin lending and liquidity pools, including where the proposed rules work and where they still need fixing.<br/><br/>Listen here:<br/><br/><a href="https://fountain.fm/episode/xE7boMfZ60B470omrB5K">https://fountain.fm/episode/xE7boMfZ60B470omrB5K</a><blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqs8xstff3tt9ndrgl6xdkw60hl276da3xutjsgakc9jj25uksam7act5p5t9" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…p5t9</a></span> </div> BPUK has submitted its response to HMRC’s consultation on the tax treatment of Bitcoin lending and liquidity pools. The proposed no gain, no loss treatment is sensible. Lending Bitcoin and later receiving it back should not be treated as a taxable disposal.<br/><br/>Two things we pushed back on: the “low risk of loss” test doesn't account for BTC's price volatility, and the drafting still doesn't separate native Bitcoin from wrapped BTC, which carries custodial and bridge risk that self-custodied Bitcoin doesn't.<br/><br/>Full submission on the Bitcoin Policy UK website.<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-lending-tax-consultation-what-we-told-hmrc">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-lending-tax-consultation-what-we-told-hmrc</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> </blockquote> 2026-09-27T06:25:43Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsrmkptkg2jr322cjcwdysnjg9j88tz6gn24zdks2z8xt4yc4j4vggzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzcfrj77 Bitcoin Policy UK has ended its consolidation phase. <br/><br/>We remain a small volunteer organisation and would welcome support from anyone who wants this independent Bitcoin policy work to continue. <br/><br/>If you would like to help fund the next phase, please email contact@bitcoinpolicy.uk.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqsq5qmk0xlvmyu26s4jctn7hc0u28kj4tlyz9c24x5cuwdvwyp8m3g9m33jg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…33jg</a></span> </div> Bitcoin Policy UK is coming out of consolidation and I am resuming my role as CEO. Dr Cristina Llamas-Rey is returning as COO.<br/><br/>Getting here has not been easy. I have never taken a salary from BPUK, and the organisation is still run by a small team of volunteers giving their time around jobs, families and other commitments.<br/><br/>In January, I reached the point where I could not justify taking recurring donations when we did not have the resources to operate properly. Scaling back was the responsible thing to do.<br/><br/>The aim was to keep BPUK going while we cut costs and rebuilt around what we could actually sustain. That is what we have done.<br/><br/>Throughout consolidation, the work continued and we sent our 2026 Manifesto to all 650 MPs. We also responded to Government, FCA, HMRC and Bank of England consultations, worked on banking access, Digital ID and privacy, and continued publishing articles and practical resources.<br/><br/>The way we work has been simplified, with a stricter line on what BPUK can realistically take on.<br/><br/>We are still unfunded and our resources remain limited, so coming out of consolidation does not mean we suddenly have the capacity to do everything people would like BPUK to do.<br/><br/>There are a lot of worthwhile projects and great people doing important work, but we have to guard our time carefully and focus on where BPUK can have the most impact.<br/><br/>A huge thank you to everyone who helped keep BPUK going through this period. The people who continued giving their time, expertise and support made it possible for us to keep moving while we worked through everything behind the scenes. I am very grateful.<br/><br/>I would like BPUK to have a paid team and do far more. If you can help with funding, please email contact@bitcoinpolicy.uk.<br/><br/>Press release below.<br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsp02kerjznyqgla3gujxw33dhr80lm7pvhp9vn8p2f2095afggdcgpzpmhxue69uhkummnw3ezuamfdejsz9rhwden5te0wfjkccte9ejxzmt4wvhxjmcmwarr8" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>bitcoinpolicyuk</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…arr8</span>)</a></span> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/06ec0e089f44ae66baf1c64276e77715a806856f3eecb58d019d6d165186f69b.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/1e8705e0589be77ef9667c7befe5ddfb6a1283772631d1d93cdf6ade3fad703a.jpg"> </blockquote> 2026-09-21T07:16:40Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqs00s2phfk0ad3z4rfad7yc4364na29uqtykahl5vmsy8krd8mts9czyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzkjnudc How much influence should the Bank of England have over privately issued money?<br/><br/>Bitcoin Policy UK has submitted its response to the Bank’s draft Code of Practice for systemic sterling stablecoins.<br/><br/>We’ve asked the Bank to look closely at:<br/><br/>* the combined cost of the rules<br/><br/>* the 30% Bank of England deposit requirement<br/><br/>* up to 95% of backing assets in government debt for some issuers<br/><br/>* how much personal data is collected during redemption<br/><br/>* how dependent issuers become on Bank of England<br/><br/>Good regulation should reduce risk without closing the door to competition.<br/><br/>Read the full article and our submission:<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/our-ask-to-boe-on-stablecoins-regulate-the-risk-not-the-model">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/our-ask-to-boe-on-stablecoins-regulate-the-risk-not-the-model</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> 2026-09-20T09:57:34Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqspyyrmvf2rd7v2aknzgm4jh2gz795a223a3jeunax54y6x6tnpf4gzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwze46yqg “There is an instinct in regulation that more information means more control and therefore more safety.”<br/><br/>Our director and co-founder <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsthy887pf36j465w0ls5y32a6rf7m06whlnnacmgn4rx0zg845alcpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dswv8azl" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…8azl</span>)</a></span> Violet Ward, quoted in <br/>Cointelegraph on why KYC can end up collecting far more identity data than is necessary and the risks that creates.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqspcfna3t24ggpeazu9lmygu6666wlh470d4qzm3xsh2gzgly3nw5g7n8pek" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…8pek</a></span> </div> KYC is framed as protection, but when identity data is required to use a service, the information collected for safety can later be used for extortion.<br/><br/>One of the points I made, quoted in Cointelegraph was:<br/><br/>“We need to stop treating identity verification and surrendering your identity as though they are the same thing.”<br/><br/>Revolut released identity files after requests were sent from a legitimate Italian law enforcement address. The piece looks at:<br/><br/>- what went wrong <br/>- why collecting documents is not the same as proving a fact <br/>- how we can verify without storing so much personal data<br/><br/>Efrat Fenigson of You're The Voice warns: “When regulators keep mandating a model that guarantees this outcome, while the technology to verify without storing already exists, it raises a red flag.”<br/><br/>Lyudmyla Kozlovska of the Open Dialogue Foundation highlights another weakness: “EU AML law imposes no verification duty on the bank and provides no meaningful mechanism to check who is really behind an authenticated state request.”<br/><br/>Evin McMullen of Billions Network sums up the wider problem: “This is a governance and standards problem wearing a technology costume. You cannot lose what you never held.”<br/><br/>This is a really important piece from Christina Comben, bringing together the risks around how identity data is collected, stored and shared and the possible alternatives that already exist.<br/><br/>Read the full article here:<br/><br/><a href="https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/revolut-id-thefts-highlight-kycs-dangers-heres-how-to-fix-it">https://cointelegraph.com/magazine/revolut-id-thefts-highlight-kycs-dangers-heres-how-to-fix-it</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsx5dvc2g3cmjgz4mgelwlk5p2ln2ljrsw23y2ar38z0agd7tefpkgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dseqsqyr" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Efrat Fenigson</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…sqyr</span>)</a></span> <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsg7etgmmkqzg9vk2jdre8rz8ygr5cxcwt2j2ytpgrl2exjpuvxy6qpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduq32amnwvaz7tm9v3jkutnwdaehgu3wd3skueqshmps0" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>lyuda_kozlovska</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…mps0</span>)</a></span> <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsp02kerjznyqgla3gujxw33dhr80lm7pvhp9vn8p2f2095afggdcgpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduq3qamnwvaz7tmwdaehgu3wwa5kuegy9xzud" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>bitcoinpolicyuk</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…xzud</span>)</a></span> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/4c64f1a9d701cf484c719f0b2d4290982378e2ad774b27346b6583350d9ec292.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/30b9bc7fadd82e1b578c8bf7806daa73b379a233e34702b3ae70c11e4c49bbb5.jpg"> </blockquote> 2026-09-17T10:19:20Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvrgc8366rk5t7c09s0gp7y2fzkm2479dzpt5k34zfh4f93nwnn0gzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwzfwnnah Bitcoin transactions sit on a public ledger, so linking a verified identity to an address or transaction can expose a previously pseudonymous history.<br/><br/>As digital credentials become easier to reuse across government and private services, policy needs much tighter limits on what can be requested, recorded and linked. <br/><br/>The GOV.UK framework will allow certified verification services to use information held in Wallet.<br/><br/>Identity rules designed for bank accounts cannot be copied unchanged onto an open ledger.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqsfj8aag5rkpp8luz3zmrfp8kmdvlj0jm95upgmaeymss94y0c0t9qqgs6tc" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…s6tc</a></span> </div> The government said national digital ID was cancelled in July. The work around GOV.UK Wallet, digital driving licences and One Login carried on.<br/><br/>GOV.UK Wallet is still live, the Veteran Card is already digital and the driving licence is next. The government’s own technical documentation was updated again on 1 and 3 September, including work on issuing and revoking test digital driving licences.<br/><br/>One Login is still growing as the gateway into government services, with more than 23 million users. This week, licensed premises in England and Wales can also accept certified digital proof of age for alcohol sales.<br/><br/>What was taken off the table was the politically visible product. The systems for issuing, storing and checking digital credentials kept developing.<br/><br/>Some of the government’s data incidents:<br/><br/>- Electoral Commission: around 40 million people affected by a cyber breach.<br/>- MoD: data linked to more than 18,500 Afghan applicants exposed.<br/>- PSNI: details of 9,483 officers and staff published online.<br/>- HMRC: stolen identity data used to reach about 100,000 online tax accounts.<br/><br/>If more of our official documents and identity credentials are going into reusable digital systems, I want to know:<br/><br/>- who can request them?<br/>- what is recorded? <br/>- when they are used?<br/>- how is it stored?<br/>- who has access?<br/>- how long that information is kept?<br/>- whether people who refuse the digital route will still have an equivalent way to access the service?<br/><br/>The public was told “digital ID cancelled”. The government’s own development record shows the digital identity work carried on.<br/><br/>The technical documents for GOV.UK Wallet, including the September updates on digital driving licences, are here:<br/><br/><a href="https://docs.wallet.service.gov.uk/">https://docs.wallet.service.gov.uk/</a><br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/f7a68e1abc86241724e7613b34d4fee7c32b782097e07a0122b9f69d744d4b3d.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/cdf891f5274dff7f30d5a3194e7fa4802094a42f3be297689f8b9fa17e603787.jpg"> </blockquote> 2026-09-16T13:24:55Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsy95wlz5lra96qw0ylnm6wd2fsfsjenre4ngtkyp7mjcdfzmmx34szyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwznrm03j The policy response continues to be more KYC, more collection and more sharing of personal data. <br/><br/>This continues even as the systems that hold that information keep failing, and it is customers rather than the institutions collecting it who end up carrying the risk.<blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqsys2wxnecs8l0nlwh0t3tlzznkkzz2lfmy5sygfqc0zzvmrkercmg8lld3s" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…ld3s</a></span> </div> KYC requirements keep expanding while the systems holding our personal data repeatedly fail to protect it.<br/><br/>A few recent incidents:<br/><br/>- Revolut: ID and account histories sent after fake official requests.<br/>- Swiss Bitcoin Pay: emails, IBANs and transaction data accessed<br/>- Pocket Bitcoin: data on 5,411 people exposed<br/>- SafePal: almost 40,000 customers affected<br/><br/>Global context:<br/><br/>- 43% of UK businesses hit by a cyber breach or attack last year.<br/>- Average data breach cost: $4.44m globally<br/>- FATF effectiveness scores ~28% globally<br/><br/>The policy response remains more KYC, more collection and more sharing.<br/><br/>We are building ever-larger stores of identity and financial data without clear evidence that this level of surveillance is delivering proportionate results, while the systems holding that data continue to fail.<br/><br/>You can check whether your data has been caught up in a breach at Have I Been Pwned: <br/><br/>haveibeenpwned.com<br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/5a9641af2fc78718ac62ec92bd112849296b34a7199c4616223b78d0b6893b69.jpg"> <br/> <img src="https://blossom.primal.net/d156a9a1b2f150ab34a0bfa367ed71273809af6ba630160e6971ceca087e3dc6.jpg"> <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqspn505agp222hzgd80nvmrvsyre2hnzjhyzyk5at6jn799c7t3fggf48fjs" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…8fjs</a></span> </blockquote> 2026-09-15T08:07:14Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsqh4w37e7n99lw0ltunc57npm7msmyf43dp4ld9m4n0kpa3m7ys8czyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwz2zfh9n Now available to listen to on &#39;On the Record&#39; by Bitcoin Policy UK.<br/><br/>This episode examines the barriers Bitcoin users and businesses continue to face when accessing banking services in the UK, drawing on our submission to the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG inquiry.<br/><br/>Listen on <span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsx2wyjt6lmvc05rrvv05r5hm3w3t7h0pcpmkyswrpd4ymd2u09tscpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduq3samnwvaz7tmswfjk66t4d5h8qunfd4skctnwv46qn0e2z0" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>fountain_app</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…e2z0</span>)</a></span>:<br/><br/><a href="https://fountain.fm/episode/yRBaCO6YaSGs2Czl7GCM">https://fountain.fm/episode/yRBaCO6YaSGs2Czl7GCM</a><br/><blockquote class="border-l-05rem border-l-strongpink border-solid"><div class="-ml-4 bg-gradient-to-r from-gray-100 dark:from-zinc-800 to-transparent mr-0 mt-0 mb-4 pl-4 pr-2 py-2">quoting <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Article"><a itemprop="url" href="/nevent1qqsv8064hht4h30eg4233huwzt5y5rvx34h8v2mvr5gt49an8dvkwvc3umln0" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1">nevent1q…mln0</a></span> </div> Still Locked Out of Banking<br/><br/>Bitcoin Policy UK has submitted evidence to the Crypto and Digital Assets APPG’s inquiry into banking access. We first raised blanket restrictions with the City Minister in September 2023, and the evidence gathered for this submission suggests the underlying problem has not been resolved.<br/><br/>Recent industry data shows roughly 40% of bank-to-exchange transfers in the UK are currently blocked or delayed, and around half of UK crypto and fintech firms have been rejected for a bank account or had one closed. Much of this restriction is applied at a sector-wide level rather than through individual risk assessment, which means Bitcoin activity is often caught by rules designed for very different, higher-risk products.<br/><br/>Our submission recommends that the government confirm FCA-registered Bitcoin activity shouldn’t be subject to blanket restriction, that banks give specific reasons and a route to appeal when they decline a payment, and that better data be published so progress can actually be tracked. France and Hong Kong both offer useful models for how this could work in practice.<br/><br/>Read the full article and see our submission: <br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-and-crypto-still-locked-out-of-banking">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bitcoin-and-crypto-still-locked-out-of-banking</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> </blockquote> 2026-09-13T15:20:55Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsdnhg6fyw7w8atchufq26h4n4047w3qfwhxvgkz399w7xe8lw2pfgzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwz8uvn5h The UK now chairs FATF (Financial Action Task Force, the body setting global anti-money laundering standards), with fraud as its two-year priority. <br/><br/>The plan means more data sharing across exchanges, banks and telecoms. <br/><br/>On Bitcoin&#39;s public ledger that&#39;s not the same trade-off as with hidden bank records: link an identity to an address once and it can be traced for good. <br/><br/>Self-custody helps, but it isn&#39;t a full shield once KYC has already tagged a wallet.<br/><br/>Read the full article:<br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/fatf’s-fraud-roadmap-expands-data-risks-and-global-surveillance">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/fatf’s-fraud-roadmap-expands-data-risks-and-global-surveillance</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1hwgw0uznr49t4gullpgfz4m5xnakl5a0l88m3k382xv7ys0tfmlsd503sg" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">npub1hwg…03sg</span>)</a></span> 2026-09-13T11:53:56Z https://nostr.now/nevent1qqsvvwu8vk8wc6vdw7kqlx928y38uexqd28erxpttznr8a0hg6qyl7qzyqt64kgus5eqz8lv28y3n5vtdceml7lst9cftyec2j2ned822zrwz2r9qr7 Bitcoin Policy UK 2026 Manifesto Is Sent to All MPs Following The FCA Cryptoassets Consultation Paper<br/><br/>On 1 March 2026, Bitcoin Policy UK formally delivered its 2026 Bitcoin Policy Manifesto to all 650 Members of Parliament, following the FCA’s CP25/40 consultation.<br/><br/>2025 marked significant progress, including Bitcoin’s recognition as property under the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025. That legal clarity was a landmark step.<br/><br/>However, regulatory frameworks still risk collapsing bitcoin into a broad “cryptoassets” category, applying uniform assumptions that fail to reflect structural differences between bitcoin-focused firms and token-based ventures.<br/><br/>In a recent discussion with Cointelegraph, CEO Susie Violet Ward noted:<br/><br/>“Prolonged rulemaking, overlapping regimes and compliance costs that are high relative to market size are discouraging firms from building in the UK.”<br/><br/>The 2026 Manifesto outlines four priority reforms:<br/><br/>• Remove restrictive rules
• Reverse the ban on retail access to spot Bitcoin ETFs
• Introduce capital gains tax exemptions for de minimis transactions
• Simplify tax and support investment in the UK Bitcoin ecosystem<br/><br/>This is ultimately about economic modelling and competitiveness. Capital in this sector is globally portable. Regulatory clarity matters.<br/><br/>2026 will be a defining year for UK digital asset policy.<br/><br/>Read the full press release here: <br/><br/><a href="https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-2026-manifesto-is-sent-to-all-mps-following-fca-consultation">https://bitcoinpolicy.uk/blog-1/f/bpuk-2026-manifesto-is-sent-to-all-mps-following-fca-consultation</a><br/><br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/nprofile1qqsthy887pf36j465w0ls5y32a6rf7m06whlnnacmgn4rx0zg845alcpzamhxue69uhhyetvv9ujucm4wfex2mn59en8j6gpz4mhxue69uhk2er9dchxummnw3ezumrpdejqrdsrwf" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>Susie</span> (<span class="italic">nprofile…srwf</span>)</a></span> <br/><span itemprop="mentions" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/Person"><a itemprop="url" href="/npub1wl39ydk5rpecvtrzhq67afl9ykn2ty2xdxdkfmyan0rss3f3ma5sndznlx" class="bg-lavender dark:prose:text-neutral-50 dark:text-neutral-50 dark:bg-garnet px-1"><span>fnew</span> (<span class="italic">npub1wl3…znlx</span>)</a></span> 2026-03-01T08:57:27Z