Nils Silinevics
Partner · AML & Crypto Compliance · Former FIU Investigator
Circle (USDC) is a stablecoin issuer with freeze authority over your tokens. Circle is FCA-registered (2023); USDC approved for UK institutional use Swiss lawyers file formal appeals with Circle (USDC)'s compliance team. Free case review within 24 hours.
Circle is FCA-registered (2023); USDC approved for UK institutional use
FCA's cryptoasset register is mandatory — only registered firms can market crypto to UK consumers; FCA has warned 300+ firms for operating without registration
This matters because it determines which regulatory body has authority over your case — and whether you have a direct complaint path or need cross-jurisdictional legal action.
What this means for you: Circle (USDC) is a stablecoin issuer with freeze authority. The freeze is at the smart contract level — not an exchange freeze. We appeal directly to Circle (USDC)'s compliance team and coordinate with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) if the freeze is related to a regulatory request.
under MLR 2017, you can complain to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if the exchange is FCA-registered — FOS can award up to £430,000 compensation
Under Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017, amended), Circle (USDC) must conduct customer due diligence and can freeze accounts during AML investigations. However, they must also:
If Circle (USDC) doesn't meet these obligations, we escalate to Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and file a formal legal submission. For a broader comparison of how United Kingdom's rules stack up against other jurisdictions, see our AML laws by country reference.
capital gains tax (10% or 20%) on gains above £3,000 (2024-25 allowance); income tax if trading
If your Circle (USDC) account is frozen, you may still need to declare your crypto holdings on your United Kingdom tax return — even if you can't access them. Under United Kingdom law, the tax obligation may apply regardless of whether the funds are accessible. We recommend consulting a British tax advisor.
If the freeze causes you to miss a tax deadline, we can provide documentation for the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and tax authority explaining the situation.
A British user's address was blacklisted by Circle (USDC) after receiving funds from a flagged source. Circle (USDC) froze the address on-chain. Under Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017, amended), Circle (USDC) has freeze authority. We filed a formal appeal with Circle (USDC)'s compliance team and coordinated with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Within 14 days, Circle (USDC) released the funds after our submission demonstrated compliance with Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017, amended).
Details anonymized to protect client confidentiality. Swiss professional secrecy applies.
We analyze your Circle (USDC) account, transaction history, and United Kingdom regulatory context to identify the exact trigger. Was it a TRM Labs risk flag? A sanctions screening match? A source-of-funds demand? Each requires a different strategy.
We prepare documentation compliant with Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 — not just Circle (USDC)'s standard templates. This includes source-of-funds proof, transaction tracing, and any required Financial Conduct Authority-specific forms.
We submit through Circle (USDC)'s compliance channels — not standard support. Our submission is in English and references Financial Conduct Authority guidelines. We coordinate with Financial Conduct Authority even though Circle (USDC) is not registered.
We verify everything works and advise on preventing recurrence on Circle (USDC). If Circle (USDC) doesn't respond within no statutory maximum, but FCA expects firms to resolve AML investigations within 30 days, we escalate to Financial Conduct Authority and pursue cross-jurisdictional action in USA (Boston, MA) if needed.
Tell us what happened. A senior crypto compliance lawyer — not a chatbot, not a junior — will read your case and respond within 6 hours. Swiss professional secrecy applies from your first message.