UK Industry Groups Push for Blockchain Inclusion in Landmark US Tech Deal
A powerful coalition of British trade associations is calling on the government to formally integrate blockchain technology and digital assets into a major new technology cooperation initiative being established with the United States. The groups argue that excluding this rapidly growing sector would be a significant missed opportunity for the UK.
The initiative, known as the UK-US “Tech Bridge,” is designed to foster greater collaboration, streamline regulatory approaches, and boost trade between the two nations in critical technology fields. While the initial focus may be on areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, the trade bodies insist that blockchain must be a core component of the dialogue.
In their appeal, the coalition highlighted the United Kingdom’s strong position within the digital assets ecosystem. They pointed to the proactive steps already taken, such as the implementation of a comprehensive regulatory framework for crypto assets and the widespread adoption of distributed ledger technology across the financial services sector in London. Placing blockchain on the Tech Bridge agenda is framed as a logical extension of the UK’s current strategy to become a global hub for digital assets and fintech innovation.
The primary benefits of inclusion, as outlined by the groups, are substantial. A key advantage would be the development of synchronized regulatory standards between the UK and US. Currently, companies operating in both jurisdictions face a complex and sometimes contradictory web of rules. The Tech Bridge presents a unique forum for regulators from both countries to align their frameworks, reducing compliance burdens and creating a more predictable environment for businesses to invest and innovate. This alignment is seen as crucial for fostering stability and encouraging mainstream adoption of blockchain-based financial products.
Furthermore, the collaboration is envisioned to accelerate technological development. By facilitating joint research projects, sharing best practices, and enabling smoother cross-border data flows within a secure framework, the partnership could drive advancements in areas far beyond cryptocurrency. These include supply chain management, digital identity verification, and the tokenization of real-world assets like real estate and commodities.
The trade groups also emphasized the economic imperative. The blockchain and digital asset sector represents a multi-trillion dollar economy. A cohesive UK-US partnership would create a powerful bloc capable of shaping global standards and capturing a dominant share of this emerging market. It would send a strong signal to the world that these two financial giants are committed to leading the next wave of digital transformation, rather than ceding ground to other jurisdictions.
The push reflects a growing consensus within the UK’s tech and finance industries that blockchain is a foundational technology, not a niche interest. Its potential to increase efficiency, enhance transparency, and reduce costs in various industries makes it a natural candidate for a high-level bilateral tech agreement.
As the UK and US governments continue to formalize the structure and priorities of the Tech Bridge, the pressure is mounting to ensure that blockchain and digital assets are not left out of the conversation. The coalition’s argument is that the future of tech cooperation must include the transformative potential of distributed ledger technology.
