Stand With Crypto UK Launches Campaign Urging 286,000 Members to Complain About Bank Restrictions on Crypto Transfers
The Coinbase-backed group launched a nationwide campaign on June 10, 2026, citing FCA data that banks block or delay 40% of domestic crypto transfers. Members are being asked to formally challenge restrictions at high-street banks.
CoinDeskStand With Crypto UK launched a nationwide campaign on June 10, 2026, directing its 286000 members to file formal complaints against British high-street banks over blanket restrictions on crypto transactions. K. banks block or delay about 40% of domestic crypto transfers.
U.K. Cryptoassets Business Council “Locked Out” report from January 2026, which surveyed 10 exchanges including Coinbase, Kraken, Uphold, Xapo Bank, Zumo, Wirex, OKX, Luno, Bitpanda and Gemini. Eighty percent of the surveyed exchanges reported a rise in blocked transfers over the past 12 months.
One platform reported that banks rejected up to 1 million pounds in transactions in a single year. The restrictions fall into two categories. Chase UK, Starling, TSB, Virgin Money and Metro Bank impose complete blocks that stop all transfers and card payments to crypto exchanges.
Barclays, HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander and Monzo set hard transfer caps that limit the amounts users can send. These policies apply regardless of an individual’s actual risk profile, Stand With Crypto UK said. The group noted that many of the same banks are hiring digital asset teams and exploring crypto products.
The blocks run counter to the Payment Services Regulations 2017, under which banks are obligated to execute payments that meet account conditions. A day after the January 2026 “Locked Out” report, an HM Treasury spokesperson told CoinDesk that government officials expected banks to treat all businesses fairly, including crypto services providers.
“We would not expect such licensed firms to be subject to account or transaction restrictions by banking services providers,” the HM Treasury spokesperson said.
