The Financial Conduct Authority opened its authorization gateway for the new UK crypto rules on Sept. 30, starting an application window that can protect existing Bitcoin providers’ ability to keep serving UK customers and take new business if approval is still pending when the full regime begins.

The window closes Feb. 28, 2027. The full regime starts Oct. 25, 2027, according to the FCA’s announcement. February is the deadline for qualifying for the saving provision, a temporary protection for pending applicants, rather than a date when Bitcoin services must immediately stop.