Stand With Crypto UK Urges Members to Challenge Bank Limits on Crypto Transfers

Stand With Crypto UK, a Coinbase-backed advocacy group, has called on its 286,000 members to file formal complaints against British retail banks over blanket restrictions on crypto transactions. The campaign targets bank policies that block or cap customer transfers to crypto exchanges, including platforms registered with the Financial Conduct Authority.

The issue matters because banking access remains a key on-ramp between traditional money and digital assets. According to FCA research cited by the group, around 8% of U.K. adults hold cryptoassets, meaning bank transfer policies can affect a large retail user base as well as exchanges operating in the country.

Stand With Crypto said its campaign draws on the U.K. Cryptoassets Business Council’s January 2026 “Locked Out” report, which surveyed 10 exchanges: Coinbase, Kraken, Uphold, Xapo Bank, Zumo, Wirex, OKX, Luno, Bitpanda and Gemini. The group said British banks block or delay about 40% of domestic crypto transactions, and that 80% of surveyed exchanges reported an increase in blocked transfers over the past 12 months.

The restrictions described by Stand With Crypto fall into two groups. Chase UK, Starling, TSB, Virgin Money and Metro Bank were identified as fully blocking transfers and card payments to crypto exchanges, while Barclays, HSBC, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander and Monzo were cited as imposing strict transfer caps.

The group argues that blanket policies ignore individual risk profiles and conflict with the U.K. government’s stated ambition to support digital assets and Web3. CoinDesk reported that HM Treasury said in January 2026 it expects banks to treat businesses fairly, including crypto service providers, and would not expect licensed firms to face account or transaction restrictions from banking providers.