Agant registered as a crypto asset company with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), with the aim of ensuring its regulatory framework and being able to issue a stablecoin called GBPA, 100% backed by the pound sterling.
Agant’s registration with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) covers the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) obligations required of cryptocurrency companies operating in the UK. In practical terms, this gives the firm a formal compliance basis for conducting due diligence on its clients and monitoring transactions.
However, the company clarified that this step is a preparatory requirement and does not yet constitute the full authorization that stablecoin issuers will need under the new UK regulatory framework.
The regime to be introduced by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Cryptoassets) Regulations 2026 will establish a specific authorization pathway for stablecoins that meet certain requirements. On the other hand, the FCA has already announced that applications for this authorization will open in September 2026, while the regulations are scheduled to come into full effect on October 25, 2027.
In this context, Agant’s move can be interpreted as an early positioning strategy. While the AML registration does not yet enable issuance under the new regime, it does place the company in a favorable operational position to move forward when the formal authorization process becomes available.
Operational Challenges for Agant and the UK Regulatory Framework
Regarding its GBPA stablecoin, Agant describes it as “exchangeable on a 1:1 basis for pounds sterling,” committing to hold customer funds in segregated accounts protected against bankruptcy (bankruptcy-remote). This scheme aims to isolate reserve assets against potential corporate contingencies, reinforcing confidence in the token’s peg. Furthermore, the firm assured that its reserves will be audited and certified by independent external auditors, adding an extra layer of transparency.
Agant also reported that it is in the process of obtaining ISO 27001 certification for information security. This international standard aims to strengthen operational controls and the management of technological risks, a key aspect for any issuer aspiring to operate at an institutional scale.
Together, the AML registry, segregated fiat reserves, independent audits, and the pursuit of international certifications constitute a compliance architecture designed to align with future regulatory expectations.
From a market perspective, Agant presents GBPA as a bridge between traditional finance and programmable settlement on blockchain. The offering is particularly aimed at institutional flows, such as near-instantaneous conversion between fiat currency and stablecoins, as well as multi-chain transactions.
Looking ahead, Agant will be in a position to apply for formal authorization when the FCA opens the process in September 2026. That approval will be essential before issuing a stablecoin that complies with the new regulations once the rules come into effect in October 2027.
