Can I get a crypto financial adviser?
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether are rapidly entering the mainstream, but is it possible to find a crypto investment adviser?
Crypto investing is becoming increasingly popular – with almost a quarter of Britons having invested in the currency at some point in their lives.
Crypto investing is currently unregulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and regulated financial advisers cannot yet recommend or offer advice on crypto assets. However, new rules that will increase standards and consumer protection are expected to come into force by October 25, 2027.
There is a lot of guidance available online. However, the quality varies, and potential investors need to act with caution and only use information from reputable sources.
If you are invested in cryptocurrencies, a qualified accountant may be able to help manage any tax liabilities that may arise.
A financial adviser can help you build a balanced investment strategy to suit you.
Approximately six million Brits have now got money invested in cryptocurrencies according to the latest data from Finder, with increasing numbers viewing crypto assets as part of their ‘wider investment strategy.’
Over a quarter (25%) have used long-term savings to buy crypto assets, while 14% have even gone so far as to use credit cards and overdrafts due to the fear of missing out.
It’s easy to see why cryptocurrencies have become so popular. At the time of writing, the compound annual growth rate for Bitcoin was 86%.
However, while many people have enjoyed impressive gains, there are also many who have nursed spectacular losses, and more cautious investors will value crypto investment advice.
According to the FCA, 36% of investors are currently being influenced by friends and family.
Where can I get crypto investment advice in the UK?
At the moment, the UK is in a critical regulatory transition period. While the government has officially enacted the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations, full consumer protections are not yet live.
That means financial advisers who are regulated by the FCA are not able to offer advice on crypto assets or make any recommendations.
As a result, crypto investors are obliged to do their own research and access guidance online.
Some crypto trading platforms, for example, offer investors access to educational resources, training academies, community support and virtual trading by letting you practice with a dummy portfolio first.
However, it’s important to tread carefully and view crypto guidance and promotions with caution, particularly on social media.
The marketing of crypto assets is regulated, so there should be prominent warnings about the risks of investing as well as a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period for new users.
You also should not be incentivised with free gifts or bonuses when referring a friend. These promotions could be at best illegal or, worse, a scam.
Can I get crypto advice from an accountant?
Although it’s not possible to get crypto investment advice in the UK, if you are already a crypto investor, you may be able to get crypto tax advice.
Specialist accountants, for example, will be able to help you complete your self-assessment tax return, determine what tax is due and offer tailored tax planning advice to keep your tax bill down.
It’s particularly important to get tax advice on this because HMRC will soon be able to see every crypto trade you're making.
Since January 2026 crypto exchanges have been legally required to track your transaction history, wallet addresses, and personal details. Automatic reporting of this data to the taxman begins in 2027.
Will crypto investment advice ever be regulated?
The FCA has repeatedly warned that investing in cryptocurrency is speculative and high risk and that investors could, potentially, lose all of their money.
Historically, because crypto has been unregulated, there has been no protection if things go wrong. You weren’t protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and you did not have recourse to the Financial Ombudsman Service if you were mis-sold or given poor advice.
However, the UK regulatory landscape has officially changed. Under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations, the UK government has introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework for firms offering cryptoasset services.
The new rules bring crypto exchanges, dealers, and agents under the strict regulatory control of the Financial Conduct Authority. Just like providers of traditional financial services, they must meet high standards for transparency, operational resilience, and consumer protection.
The new regime is rolling out in phases:
30 September 2026: The FCA officially opens the authorisation application window for crypto firms.
25 October 2027: Full regulatory enforcement comes into effect. Every crypto firm serving UK retail clients must be fully authorized by this date.
There will be a strict ban on allowing consumers to buy cryptocurrency with borrowed money, such as credit cards as part of this framework.
What isn’t protected
While the new rules will bring in some protection, it is worth noting there is no protection at all until October 25 2027, even if firms have already applied to be authorised.
There are also strict boundaries.
There is no compensation for market crashes: The Ombudsman will only step in for firm misconduct or operational faults Market volatility remains entirely your own risk as it does with other investments.
There is still no FSCS protection: The government has explicitly ruled out extending the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to crypto. If an authorized crypto platform becomes bankrupt or insolvent, there is no government-backed safety net to return your funds.
Can I still discuss cryptocurrency with a financial adviser?
Financial advisers will often encourage you to talk about all areas of your finances.
While financial advisers are not currently able to offer advice on crypto assets or make any crypto recommendations, they can offer you advice on your wider investment strategy.
Are there any ways to invest in crypto in a regulated way?
Although you can’t currently get regulated crypto investment advice, you ‘may’ be able to get guidance on investing in cryptocurrency indirectly.
For example, you may be able to buy shares in companies that are involved in cryptocurrency, such as a crypto broker. Or you can invest in an exchange-traded fund (ETF) with exposure to a range of crypto-related businesses.
These investments could be held in a stocks and shares individual savings account (ISA) or a pension.
There are some ETFs that invest in cryptocurrencies directly.
In a major policy shift, the FCA recently lifted its long-standing ban on ordinary investors buying these. However, you cannot hold them in an ordinary stocks and shares ISA; they must go into an IFISA (innovative finance ISA) or pension.
Final thoughts on crypto investment advice
While the UK transitions towards a regulated crypto market financial advisers in the UK remain legally restricted from offering direct crypto investment advice or specific recommendations, which means investors are relying on the support of crypto platforms, online communities, as well as friends and family to support them with decision-making.
Increased regulation in the future will improve consumer protection, particularly from scams and dodgy practices as well as operational failures. However, new rules won’t necessarily reduce the extreme volatility and inherent risks of digital assets.
To get more insight into the right investment strategy for you, let Unbiased match you with a qualified financial adviser.
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