Quantcast

Director of enforcement for FCA on crypto regulation: 'Those who flout our rules will face serious consequences'

Bybit to disable logins for Malaysian users starting December 24
Binance and Circle announce strategic partnership to advance USDC adoption and crypto innovation
CATO Policy Analyst: Operation Choke Point 2.0 ‘has undermined many of the people trying to work and innovate’
SEC Approves First Crypto Index ETFs Combining Bitcoin and Ethereum
Bitcoin dips to $92K in ‘optimal dip-buying’ move as PCE boosts crypto
DOGE Founder Reacts to Bitcoin, Dogecoin and Ethereum Sell-off
Coinbase CEO: 'Crypto is the only payment rail that checks all three boxes'
CATO Policy Analyst: Operation Choke Point 2.0 ‘has undermined many of the people trying to work and innovate’
AI at the service of DeFi: Reflections and perspectives from the Saint-Alex Club
Avara’s Lens secures $31M for SocialFi-focused L2 blockchain
US Federal Reserve (Fed) Continues to Cut Rates by 25 Points: New Highs for Bitcoin?
$300m of other tokens bridged to Solana in the last week, why?
Coinbase sued over WBTC delisting by Justin Sun-affiliated BiT Global
Bitcoin Soars to New Record Highs Over $106K, Let's Hope the Fed Doesn't End the Party
Increased gas limits on Ethereum L1 come with risks… but big rewards
Bitcoin Catches Up With Gold: New ATH for BTC-Gold Ratio
Bitcoin Backed by US Congress: Pro-Crypto French Hill Takes Chair of Finance Committee
BlackRock recommends 1-2% Bitcoin in your portfolio
UK watchdog asks firms to share current and future crypto exposures
Riot acquires 5,117 BTC for $510m
New SEC boss Paul Atkins will transform crypto… but not right away
Bitcoin: For billionaire investor Ray Dalio, only BTC and gold will save from future crises
BTC, XRP, DOGE Price: Dogecoin Drops, Bitcoin Steady Ahead of US CPI
Bitcoin hits level bulls must 'control' for a new $100K BTC price push
Trump reveals his price target for Bitcoin
Billionaire Ray Dalio Prefers Bitcoin Over Bonds
Bitcoin can separate money and state — David Sacks
Crypto Daybook Americas: Bitcoin (BTC) Price Hits Mid-Cycle Peak as Retail Interest in Altcoins Soars
Creating a strategic reserve with bitcoin: US states are exploring this possibility
El Salvador: When the Bitcoin dream meets the economic demands of the IMF
Director of enforcement for FCA on crypto regulation: 'Those who flout our rules will face serious consequences'
Web3/Crypto
Webp  78
Therese Chambers, Joint executive director of enforcement and market oversight | FCA

Therese Chambers, joint executive director of enforcement at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), said that the sentencing of Olumide Osunkoya marks the UK's first criminal conviction for unregistered crypto activity. The statement was made in a press release on February 28.

"This is the UK's first criminal sentencing for unregistered crypto activity and sends a clear message," said Chambers, Joint Executive Director of Enforcement and Market Oversight. "those who flout our rules, seek to evade detection and engage in criminal activity will face serious consequences."

In a landmark case, London-based entrepreneur Olumide Osunkoya, 46, received a four-year prison sentence for operating unregistered cryptocurrency ATMs across the UK. Between December 2021 and March 2022, Osunkoya's company, GidiPlus Ltd, managed 28 crypto ATMs without necessary FCA registration, processing transactions totaling approximately £2.5 million. This conviction underscores the UK's stringent stance on unregulated crypto activities and represents the first criminal sentencing for such offenses in the country, according to the FCA.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Crypto Republique
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The press release further indicates that despite being denied FCA registration in December 2021, Osunkoya continued to operate his network of crypto ATMs. To evade detection, he later transferred the machines from GidiPlus Ltd and personally managed a reduced network of up to 12 crypto ATMs under a false name and company. Additionally, he failed to implement necessary anti-money laundering checks, allowing potential misuse of the ATMs for illicit activities.

Financial News London reports that the UK's conservative regulatory stance on crypto assets may hinder its ability to compete with more progressive jurisdictions. Industry leaders warn that overly stringent regulations could drive innovation and investment to countries with more accommodating regulatory frameworks, potentially diminishing the UK's influence in the global crypto market.

Chambers began her legal career in private practice as a commercial litigator in the City of London. For over 20 years, she has been involved in UK regulatory enforcement at both the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and its predecessor, the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Throughout her tenure, Chambers has led investigations and litigation in several high-profile and complex enforcement cases, including Operation Tabernula—the UK's most intricate insider dealing prosecution—as well as cases related to LIBOR and foreign exchange manipulations.

Learn Signal reports that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was established on April 1, 2013, succeeding the Financial Services Authority (FSA) as part of a comprehensive reform of the UK's financial regulatory framework following the global financial crisis. Operating independently of the UK government, the FCA is funded by fees charged to the financial services industry. Its primary objectives include protecting consumers, ensuring integrity within UK financial markets, and promoting effective competition in consumers' interests.

More News

Brian Armstrong, CEO of Coinbase, said that broader cryptocurrency use will emerge from seamless products where users benefit without engaging with the underlying systems.

Oct 22, 2025

Michael Saylor, co-founder of Strategy Inc., announced that the company has expanded its bitcoin holdings and reported a 25.9% year-to-date yield for 2025.

Oct 22, 2025

Lark Davis, founder of Wealth Mastery, advised traders to avoid leverage and risky "revenge trading" amid widespread liquidations and emphasized the importance of protecting capital.

Oct 22, 2025

Kent Lin, Co-founder of Optimum, said that Bitcoin's market capitalization is approximately 7% of gold's, suggesting that the rally in gold expands potential upside for Bitcoin.

Oct 22, 2025

Anna Milne, founding director of research for the CAFE Association, said that membership focuses on industry leadership that combines innovation with consumer protection, rather than merely adhering to baseline compliance.

Oct 20, 2025

Edward "Coach" Weinhaus, the Founding Executive Director of the CAFE Association, emphasized that fraud is a shared problem and detailed the organization's plan to educate consumers and support responsible companies.

Oct 17, 2025