On November 12, 2025, Ripple President Monica Long held a significant meeting with the UK’s Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby, in Singapore. The discussion centered on the potential of digital assets to enhance the UK’s competitiveness and growth in the global financial landscape. Long emphasized that the UK is working to solidify its position as a leading financial hub.
This meeting has ignited speculation regarding Ripple’s plans in the UK and aligns with the country’s growing ambitions toward digital assets and blockchain technology. Long took to social media platform X, highlighting the importance of this meeting and the broader implications for the UK economy.
Rigby’s increasing engagement with Ripple is noteworthy, especially given her influential role in financial regulation. In a related move, Ripple executive Cassie Craddock indicated that the company aims to leverage recent regulatory collaborations between the US and UK to enhance its operations.
Rigby also met with Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Kraken, who was more critical of the UK’s current crypto regulatory environment. He voiced his concerns about the limitations imposed on UK users, stating that approximately 75% of crypto products are inaccessible, including decentralized finance (DeFi) options like staking and lending.
Sethi further criticized existing UK regulations for creating a daunting consumer experience, likening the warnings on crypto websites to those on cigarette packaging. He argued that excessive regulatory requirements hinder capital flow and negatively impact user enjoyment of crypto products. Additionally, he expressed reservations about extending tokenized shares to private companies, labeling initiatives like those undertaken by Robinhood as problematic.
Reactions from the crypto community on X affirmed Sethi’s concerns, with some users suggesting that the UK’s regulatory framework is stifling innovation and driving opportunities overseas. “It’s like they’re pushing innovation out the backdoor,” commented one user, reinforcing the sentiment that overregulation could have dire consequences for the industry.
Meanwhile, a new strategic partnership between the US and UK governments has emerged in the form of a Transatlantic Task Force. Established to minimize regulatory friction for firms in the digital asset space, this joint task force aims to synchronize the approach both nations take toward cryptocurrency oversight. Announced during a high-level meeting between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the task force will report its findings within six months.
The aim is to facilitate short-to-medium-term collaboration on digital assets, as comprehensive legislative frameworks continue to evolve. As anticipation builds, attention will be drawn to the rollout of the UK’s full crypto regulation framework expected in 2026, with key players like Ripple positioned to benefit from the outcome of these discussions and potential future developments.
