Crypto on-ramp (fiat to crypto) merchant accounts UK
Card networks treat fiat-to-crypto on-ramp as the highest-fraud-risk vertical alongside gambling. Mainstream UK acquirers decline categorically. Specialist acquirers exist but pricing is high and reserves substantial.
Legal status (UK)
Legal in UK subject to FCA registration as a cryptoasset business under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (as amended). Note this is registration rather than full FCA authorisation. Financial-promotions rules tightened in 2023-2024.
Acquirers accepting
- Specialist crypto-friendly acquirers
- Tier-one international acquirers via specific programmes
Typical pricing
- Rate
- 3.5% to 6.5% blended
- Settlement reserve
- 10% to 20% rolling reserve standard
Watch outs
- FCA cryptoasset register entry must be in place before acquirer onboarding.
- Financial-promotions compliance (FCA PS23/6) covers all consumer-facing marketing.
- Travel Rule (FATF Recommendation 16) implementation expected at acquirer onboarding.
- Visa and Mastercard rules around crypto purchases differ; some BIN ranges are blocked entirely.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-18.