The JAN3 Bitcoin index placed the United Kingdom third in its 2025 B20 after weighing policy advances and more than 60,000 BTC in law-enforcement custody. UK records classify the coins as seized criminal property subject to court proceedings. A March 2026 Treasury answer said central government held no cryptoassets.
JAN3 promoted the UK result this month alongside its full B20 ranking. The scorecard gave the UK 6.44 and a BB rating, behind the United States at 7.42 and Bhutan at 6.64. Its evidence window ran through to the end of 2025.
The publisher’s framework combines national Bitcoin holdings, state mining, legal and tax treatment, strategic-reserve policy, pro-Bitcoin political leadership, and the extent to which Bitcoin can be used in the economy. Britain’s placement reflects that composite approach, not a government decision to build a Bitcoin treasury.
Jan3 Bitcoin Index from Nation-State Bitcoin Adoption Report 2025
JAN3 cited roughly 61,000 BTC in government custody as one reason for the score. The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that authorities seized more than 60,000 Bitcoin in a major investment fraud and money laundering case. Prosecutors described it as alleged criminal property. They said confiscation and civil proceedings would determine its disposition.
UK asset-recovery guidance describes seizure as a temporary step while proceedings continue. Following a court order, authorities may sell recovered cryptoassets to compensate victims or direct the proceeds to the public purse and economic-crime enforcement.
The ownership distinction is also explicit in the government’s dated statements. In a March 2, 2026, parliamentary answer, the Treasury said neither it nor central government held cryptoassets at that time.
A September 2025 answer said there were then no plans to change the seized-asset or official-reserve frameworks or commission a review of Bitcoin as a reserve asset.
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act took effect on Dec. 2, 2025, in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. It removed a categorical obstacle that could prevent certain digital or electronic things from being treated as personal property. Its scope concerns property rights, not legal tender or reserve policy.
The Financial Conduct Authority also permitted retail access to qualifying crypto exchange-traded notes on approved UK exchanges from Oct. 8, 2025, subject to promotion and consumer-protection rules. The government has said its wider crypto regulatory regime will begin in 2027.
The scorecard rewards several kinds of engagement under one score. Britain’s 6.44 combines regulation and access with enforcement custody, while its dated official reserve policy remained separate from the large seized balance.
Keir Starmer’s decision to step down as UK prime minister has opened a race for Downing Street just as Britain enters the final stages of building one of its most consequential financial regulatory frameworks in years.
On June 22, Starmer said that he would remain in office until Labour selects a successor, ending a premiership that lasted less than two years.
He acknowledged that the party needed new leadership before the next general election, which must be held by 2029, and said he wanted to devote more time to his family.
Andy Burnham, the newly elected member of Parliament for Makerfield, quickly emerged as the overwhelming favorite to replace him.
His ascent has generated cautious optimism among cryptocurrency executives who view the former Greater Manchester mayor as more receptive to digital assets and blockchain technology than much of Labour’s senior leadership.
Burnham consolidates support as Polymarket traders price a swift handover
Burnham returned to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election last week, clearing the procedural barrier that had prevented him from challenging for the Labour leadership.
He confirmed his candidacy shortly after Starmer’s announcement and called for the party to maintain its focus on economic growth, housing, public services, and the cost of living during the transition.
His path narrowed further when Wes Streeting, previously considered one of Burnham’s strongest potential opponents, ruled himself out and endorsed the former Manchester mayor. Streeting urged Labour members to unite behind Burnham rather than spend the summer fighting over relatively narrow policy differences.
Labour will open nominations on July 9. The process could conclude in mid-July if Burnham faces no challenger, while a contested election would extend the handover until September.
Crypto traders have already priced in a rapid succession. Burnham carried an implied probability of about 97% of becoming Britain’s next prime minister on Polymarket on Monday. Traders had placed roughly $12.5 million on the contract.
Next UK Prime Minister (Source: Polymarket)
The price represents the conviction of participants willing to risk capital on the outcome rather than a scientific measure of public opinion. It nevertheless shows how decisively the market shifted after Streeting withdrew from the race.
Traditional financial markets showed little immediate alarm. Sterling and UK government bonds registered limited moves following Starmer’s announcement, suggesting investors had largely anticipated his departure. Longer-term attention has instead turned to Burnham’s fiscal position and the identity of the next chancellor.
His arrival would make him Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade, extending a period of leadership turnover that began with the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Britain’s crypto rulebook is already moving toward 2027
The next prime minister will inherit a regulatory program that has progressed beyond broad political promises.
Legislation approved in February expanded Britain’s regulated financial-services perimeter to cover crypto activities, including operating trading platforms, issuing qualifying stablecoins, safeguarding customer assets, and dealing in digital assets.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) must still complete the accompanying rulebook. It has published consultations covering custody, stablecoins, prudential requirements, market abuse, consumer protection, and the authorization process for companies seeking to serve UK customers.
The regulator expects the framework to begin on Oct. 25, 2027. Once it takes effect, businesses carrying out covered activities will generally need FCA authorization even when they already hold other financial services permissions or registrations.
A new prime minister could influence the government’s political priorities, appoint different Treasury ministers, or seek amendments to parts of the framework. The transition alone would not cancel the legislation or force the FCA to restart its work.
However, the more immediate risk involves administrative momentum. A cabinet reshuffle could replace ministers familiar with the regime at a point when regulators and companies are preparing for authorization. Political attention could also shift toward more urgent issues, including public spending, economic growth, and Labour’s electoral position.
Those distractions could affect secondary legislation or unresolved policy areas. The central architecture, however, has already moved far enough that an outright reversal appears unlikely without a deliberate intervention by the new government.
That distinction puts Britain in a different position from earlier stages of the debate. Companies now need clarity on implementation and compliance rather than another broad promise to turn the UK into a digital-asset hub.
Industry sees an opening for a more growth-focused message
Burnham’s public record on cryptocurrency remains limited, but his previous statements have encouraged parts of the industry.
Freddie New, the CEO of CEO of BHODL plc (and co-founder of Bitcoin Policy UK), told CryptoSlate that Burnham’s expected rise creates an opportunity to recast the industry as a potential source of investment.
According to him:
“I’m most interested to see how a potential Burnham administration will look at the Bitcoin and cryptocurrency industry as a potential for growth in the UK economy rather than, as has previously been the case, something to be throttled and feared.”
New pointed to Bitcoin treasury companies that have pursued listings in London, arguing that digital-asset businesses could bring new capital and international attention to a stock market that has struggled to attract initial public offerings.
He added:
“New companies listing in London should be welcomed and supported, not discouraged, and I hope Burnham will understand that.”
Industry executives are likely to press the next government for proportionate capital requirements, a workable authorization process, and clearer treatment of staking, lending, and stablecoin payments. They also want the FCA to apply the government’s economic-growth mandate more visibly when setting rules.
Despite the optimism surrounding Burnham, the digital asset industry remains wary of certain factions within the broader Labour Party.
New notes that domestic financial regulators have yet to fully embrace the “growth” mandate previously outlined by Rachel Reeves.
In view of this, he added:
“The sooner our politicians and regulators really embrace and understand an industry where the U.K. should be a leader, with our long history of expertise in both finance and in computer technology, the better.”
A renewed push to solidify the United States’ foothold in the digital asset market emerged Thursday as lawmakers unveiled legislation to establish a formal strategic Bitcoin reserve and consolidate the federal government’s multibillion-dollar cryptocurrency stockpile.
Spearheaded by Representative Nick Begich, the American Reserve Modernization Act (ARMA) of 2026 mandates the creation of a secure Bitcoin reserve within the US Department of the Treasury, alongside a separate “Digital Asset Stockpile” for federally held, non-Bitcoin cryptocurrencies.
The legislation aims to provide a long-term structure to the government’s existing digital wealth, primarily amassed through law enforcement seizures. According to data from Bitcoin Treasuries, the US currently holds 328,372 Bitcoin, a stash valued at more than $25 billion.
US Government’s Bitcoin Holdings (Source: Bitcoin Treasuries)
“The American Reserve Modernization Act positions the United States to lead confidently in the digital age while protecting taxpayer interests, strengthening financial sovereignty, and reinforcing the principles of transparency and sound stewardship.”
The bill has 17 original House co-sponsors, including Buddy Carter, Ben Cline of Virginia, Barry Moore of Alabama, Burgess Owens of Utah, Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa, Mike Carey and Michael Rulli of Ohio, Mike Collins of Georgia, Mike Lawler of New York, Riley Moore of West Virginia, and Tim Moore of North Carolina.
Apart from the strong legislative support, crypto industry leaders are already throwing their weight behind the measure.
Matt Cole, CEO of Bitcoin treasury firm Strive, called the proposal “the single most important crypto legislation that can come out of D.C.” for the long-term health and security of the United States.
ARMA establishes a 20-year Bitcoin bet
If enacted, the bill would radically alter how Washington handles digital assets. Rather than periodically auctioning off seized crypto, the Treasury would be forced to consolidate custody and oversight across all federal agencies.
Crucially, the legislation requires that any Bitcoin held in the strategic reserve be maintained for at least 20 years, effectively turning the US government into a long-term “hodler.”
To address persistent industry demands for transparency, the bill establishes stringent reporting measures. The Treasury would be required to publish quarterly public “Proof of Reserve” reports, submit to independent third-party audits, and face direct congressional oversight.
The legislation also directs a study into budget-neutral acquisition strategies. The goal is to evaluate lawful methods for the government to expand its digital reserves without relying on tax increases, deficit spending, or adding to the national debt.
Furthermore, the bill offers an olive branch to crypto advocates by explicitly protecting self-custody rights, affirming that the federal government may not impair Americans’ lawful right to own, transfer, or independently secure their digital assets.
Last year, Sen. Cynthia Lummis proposed the BITCOIN Act, which would require the United States to acquire 1 million Bitcoin over five years, hold the assets for at least 20 years, and distribute storage across secure sites nationwide.
The bill also includes a financing mechanism tied to Federal Reserve gold certificates, a structure that would make the proposal a direct bet on converting part of the federal balance sheet into Bitcoin exposure.
However, these initiatives have considerably stalled despite the Trump administration’s pro-crypto stance.
Still, the Begich bill aims to build on the recent advancement of the Clarity Act, which passed the Senate Banking Committee with bipartisan support. That bill is designed to establish clear rules of the road for the industry and encourage institutional investment.
