The United Kingdom has officially granted cryptocurrency legal status as property with the approval of the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025. The law gives digital assets a clear position in disputes, enforcement actions and recovery processes, aligning them with other recognised property. This move is part of the UK’s broader plan to strengthen its position as a global hub for digital asset innovation, providing legal certainty for both retail and institutional investors after years of regulatory discussions and proposals.
The Act explicitly updates UK property laws to cover digital assets, allowing courts and law enforcement to treat cryptocurrencies like tangible property. This is expected to streamline investigations in cases of theft, fraud and insolvency, where previous legal uncertainty often slowed proceedings. By formalising the status of crypto, authorities can now act with clearer guidance in protecting investors and resolving disputes.
The UK follows a global trend of clarifying cryptocurrency’s legal standing. Earlier this year, the Madras High Court in India ruled that digital assets should be treated as property, offering similar clarity for taxation, compliance and legal processes. These developments show how governments and courts worldwide are increasingly integrating digital assets into existing legal frameworks to reduce uncertainty for users and businesses.
Industry groups have welcomed the new law as a significant step for digital asset holders. Freddie New, policy chief at a cryptocurrency policy organisation in the UK, said on a social platform, “becoming law is a massive step forward for Bitcoin in the United Kingdom and for everyone who holds and uses it here.” CryptoUK also called the legislation a key milestone, saying it offers long-term certainty for businesses developing regulated digital asset products. The recognition of crypto as property is expected to pave the way for more detailed regulations on market conduct, stablecoins and service providers in the coming years.
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