UK Law Officially Recognizes Bitcoin and Crypto as Property

Bitcoin and other digital assets have gained formal legal protection in the UK after King Charles III approved the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025.

Specifically, the new law establishes a distinct category of property for digital tokens, separate from physical goods and contract-based rights. This provides assets such as Bitcoin and stablecoins with a clear legal identity.

At the same time, the move represents a significant shift in the UK’s approach to modern finance and financial technology.

Leaders in the crypto community welcomed the development. Susie Ward, CEO of Bitcoin Policy UK, said the law finally secures legal protection for digital holdings.

Meanwhile, Freddie New, the group’s Chief Policy Officer, called it one of the most significant reforms to English property law in centuries.

Reform Built on Earlier Legal and Policy Work

The new framework did not emerge overnight. Initially, the Law Commission recommended these changes in 2023 after reviewing gaps in the legal treatment of digital assets. Lawmakers then introduced the bill to the House of Lords in September 2024, and it has now passed both chambers without amendment.

This legislative path reflects a growing consensus that digital tokens need clearer legal status. The Act now consolidates what courts had been doing through individual rulings.

Clearer Rules for Disputes and Asset Recovery

In a post on X, the industry trade group CryptoUK noted that judges had previously treated crypto as property on a case-by-case basis. However, with the Act now in force, courts can rely on a clear statutory foundation.

This clarity strengthens procedures for proving ownership, recovering stolen tokens, and managing assets in insolvency or estate cases. It also reduces uncertainty for businesses and individuals who interact with digital assets in legal or commercial settings.

The Royal Assent to the Property (Digital Assets etc) Bill was formally announced in the chamber of the House of Lords at around 2:30pm today, which means it has now become an Act of Parliament.

UK courts have already treated digital assets as property, but that was all through…

— CryptoUK 🇬🇧 (@CryptoUKAssoc) December 2, 2025

Stablecoin Oversight Moves Ahead

The shift in property law comes as the Bank of England advances its work on stablecoin regulation. The central bank has launched a consultation on rules for sterling-backed stablecoins, signaling preparation for wider use of digital money.

Last month, Deputy Governor Sarah Breeden told Bloomberg that the UK aims to keep pace with U.S. regulatory efforts. She noted that new UK stablecoin rules are expected to take effect as soon as in the US.