London and Washington Explore New Framework for Joint Crypto Oversight

The United States and the United Kingdom are laying the groundwork for closer cooperation on cryptocurrency regulation, according to a report from the Financial Times.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met in London on Tuesday to discuss a potential framework for joint oversight of digital assets.

The closed-door session brought together senior figures from both governments alongside representatives from major banks and blockchain companies, including Bank of America, Barclays, Circle, Citi, Coinbase, and Ripple. Circle and Coinbase declined to comment on the talks.

Cassie Craddock, Ripple’s managing director for the U.K. and Europe, described the initiative as “a potential model for international collaboration in our sector.”

In a statement to The Block, she highlighted Britain’s “dynamic economy, deep capital markets, and strong expertise,” adding that closer U.S.–U.K. cooperation could unlock the full economic potential of blockchain technology on both sides of the Atlantic.

The discussions come as industry groups urge the British government to ensure that stablecoins and tokenized assets are included in the U.S.–U.K. “Technology Bridge,” a bilateral program designed to promote collaboration in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, quantum computing, biotechnology, and digital finance.

Trade associations have warned that excluding digital assets could leave the U.K. at a competitive disadvantage just as other global financial centers accelerate their own crypto initiatives.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Commissioner Hester Peirce has previously floated the idea of a “cross-border sandbox,” allowing U.S. and U.K. crypto firms to operate under joint regulatory supervision for a limited period.

The high-level meeting coincided with preparations for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to London later Tuesday, highlighting the growing political attention on digital-asset policy in both capitals.