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UK Law Officially Recognizes Crypto as Personal Property in Major Legal Update
Key Takeaways
- The UK now legally classifies cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as personal property, which offers stronger ownership and legal protections;
- The new law enables easier proof of crypto ownership and recovery in cases of theft, fraud, or bankruptcy under UK property law;
- CryptoUK says the law builds consumer trust, boosts market confidence, and supports the secure growth of digital and tokenized assets.
The United Kingdom has established a law that recognizes cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as personal property under existing regulations.
On December 2, Lord Speaker John McFall in the House of Lords confirmed that the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill achieved Royal Assent and entered into law.
The new framework is designed to give stronger legal protection for individuals and organizations that own or interact with digital currencies.
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This measure officially defines digital or electronic assets as a new form of personal property. The update helps resolve issues such as proving legal ownership, pursuing recovery of stolen crypto, and dealing with these assets in estate settlements or bankruptcies.
CryptoUK, an industry association, stated on X that the law offers "greater clarity and protection for consumers and investors" and establishes much-needed trust for those involved with digital asset platforms.
Traditional UK property law separated assets into two categories: "things in possession," which cover items physically held, and "things in action," which cover enforceable rights. The new law now acknowledges that digital assets can clearly fall under personal property rights.
This new legal standing allows cryptocurrency holders to prove ownership more easily and supports recovery in theft, fraud, or bankruptcy. CryptoUK also highlighted the benefit of tokenized real-world assets and said that the rules will help create a more secure, robust, and regulated market for these technologies.
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