Section 22
1The Banking Act 2009 is amended as follows.
2In the heading to Part 5 (payment systems), after “systems” insert “and service providers”.
3In section 181 (overview), after “services” insert “, including”.
4(1)Section 182 (interpretation of payment system) is amended as follows.
(2)In the heading, for ““payment system”” substitute “key terms”.
(3)In subsection (1), after “money” insert “or digital settlement assets”.
(4)After subsection (4) insert—
“(4A)In subsection (1) “digital settlement asset” means a digital representation of value or rights, whether or not cryptographically secured, that—
(a)can be used for the settlement of payment obligations,
(b)can be transferred, stored or traded electronically, and
(c)uses technology supporting the recording or storage of data (which may include distributed ledger technology).
(4B)In this section, “digital settlement asset” includes a right to, or an interest in, a digital settlement asset.”
(5)After subsection (5) insert—
“(5A)In this Part, a “DSA service provider” is a person who provides one or more services in relation to a payment system that includes arrangements using digital settlement assets where—
(a)the person creates or issues the digital settlement assets involved in the payment system,
(b)the person provides services to safeguard, or to safeguard and administer, digital settlement assets including their private cryptographic keys (or means of access),
(c)the person is directly involved in any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b),
(d)the person is a digital settlement asset exchange provider,
(e)the person sets rules, standards, or conditions of access or participation in relation to the payment system, or
(f)the person provides any service that facilitates, or supports, a transfer of money or digital settlement assets to be made using the payment system, including any infrastructure provider in relation to the system.
(5B)In this Part “digital settlement asset exchange provider” means a person who provides one or more of the following services, including as creator or issuer of any of the digital settlement assets, by—
(a)exchanging, or arranging the exchange of—
(i)digital settlement assets for money,
(ii)money for digital settlement assets,
(iii)digital settlement assets and money for digital settlement assets, or
(iv)digital settlement assets and money for money,
(b)exchanging, or arranging the exchange of, one digital settlement asset for another, or
(c)operating an automated process to carry out any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b).
(5C)The Treasury may by regulations amend—
(a)the definition of “digital settlement asset” in subsection (4A);
(b)the definition of “DSA service provider” in subsection (5A);
(c)the definition in section 206AA of a person who provides services connected with a recognised payment system that uses digital settlement assets.”
5(1)Section 183 (interpretation of other expressions) is amended as follows.
(2)In the opening words of paragraph (k) after “system” insert “or to a DSA service provider”.
(3)In sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (k), after “constituting” insert “, or connected with,”.
6In the cross-heading before section 184 (recognition order), after “systems” insert “and service providers”.
7In the heading to section 184 , after “order” insert “: payment system”.
8In section 184, in subsection (4), after “constituting” insert “or connected with”.
9After section 184 insert—
(1)The Treasury may by order (“recognition order”) specify a DSA service provider as a recognised DSA service provider for the purposes of this Part.
(2)A recognition order under this section must specify in as much detail as is reasonably practicable the services provided.
(3)The Treasury may not specify a DSA service provider operated solely by the Bank of England.”
10In the heading to section 185 (recognition criteria) after “criteria” insert “: payment system”.
11After section 185 insert—
(1)The Treasury may make a recognition order in respect of a DSA service provider only if satisfied that any deficiencies in the services provided by the service provider, or any disruption to the provision of those services, would be likely—
(a)to threaten the stability of, or confidence in, the UK financial system, or
(b)to have serious consequences for business or other interests throughout the United Kingdom.
(2)In considering whether to specify a DSA service provider the Treasury must have regard to—
(a)the value of the services in relation to payment systems that the DSA service provider presently provides or is likely to provide in the future,
(b)the nature of the services in relation to payment systems that the DSA service provider provides,
(c)whether those services or their equivalent could be provided by others, and
(d)the relationship between the DSA service provider and—
(i)operators of payment systems that use digital settlement assets, and
(ii)other DSA service providers.”
12(1)Section 186 (procedure) is amended as follows.
(2)In the opening words of subsection (1) after “system” insert “or a DSA service provider”.
(3)After subsection (1)(a) insert—
“(aa)in the case of a recognition order in respect of a DSA service provider, consult the FCA,”.
(4)In subsection (1)(b), after “system” insert “or the DSA service provider (as appropriate)”.
(5)In subsection (2)(a), for “the operator of which” substitute “or a DSA service provider, where the operator of the system or the provider”.
(6)In subsection (2)(b), after “operator” insert “or provider”.
(7)In subsection (3), after “system” insert “or a DSA service provider”.
13(1)Section 186A (amendment of recognition order) is amended as follows.
(2)After subsection (2)(a) insert—
“(aa)in the case of a recognition order in respect of a DSA service provider, consult the FCA,”.
(3)In subsection (2)(b), after “system” insert “or the recognised DSA service provider (as appropriate)”.
(4)In subsection (3)(a), for “the operator of which” substitute “or a DSA service provider, where the operator of the system or the provider”.
(5)In subsection (3)(b), after “operator” insert “or provider”.
(6)In subsection (4)—
(a)after first “system” insert “or by a recognised DSA service provider”,
(b)after second “system” insert “or provider,”.
14(1)Section 187 (de-recognition) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2)—
(a)the words after “satisfied” become paragraph (a),
(b)after that paragraph insert “, or
(b)that the criteria in section 185A are met in respect of the recognised DSA service provider.”
(3)After subsection (3)(a) insert—
“(aa)in the case of a recognition order in respect of a DSA service provider, consult the FCA,”.
(4)In subsection (3)(b), after “system” insert “or the recognised DSA service provider (as appropriate)”.
(5)In subsection (4)(a), for “the operator of which” substitute “or a DSA service provider, where the operator of the system or the provider”.
(6)In subsection (4)(b), after “operator” insert “or provider”.
(7)In subsection (5), after “system” insert “, or by a recognised DSA service provider”.
15(1)Section 188 (principles) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)the words after “publish” to the second “systems” become paragraph (a);
(b)after that paragraph insert “,
(b)principles to which recognised DSA service providers are to have regard in the provision of services to payment systems (whether or not recognised),”;
(c)the words after “and” become paragraph (c);
(d)at end insert “or to such DSA service providers”.
16In section 189 (codes of practice)—
(a)the words after “about” to the first “systems” become paragraph (a);
(b)after that paragraph, insert “,
(b)the provision of services by DSA service providers in relation to payment systems (whether or not recognised), or”;
(c)omit “and”;
(d)the words after “and” become paragraph (c);
(e)at end insert “or to such DSA service providers”.
17In section 190 (system rules), in subsection (1)(a)—
(a)after “constituting” insert “, or connected with,”;
(b)at end insert “, or a DSA service provider”.
18After section 190 insert—
(1)The Bank of England may require a recognised DSA service provider—
(a)to establish rules for the operation of services provided by the recognised DSA service provider;
(b)to establish rules for the operation of services provided by a service provider to the recognised DSA service provider;
(c)to change the rules in a specified way or so as to achieve a specified purpose;
(d)to notify the Bank of any proposed change to the rules;
(e)not to change the rules without the approval of the Bank.
(2)A requirement under subsection (1)(d) or (e) may be general or specific.”
19(1)Section 191 (directions) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)the words after the first “to” to the first “system” become paragraph (a);
(b)after that paragraph insert “,
(b)to a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(c)the words after “or” become paragraph (c);
(d)at the end of that paragraph insert “or to such DSA service providers”.
(3)In subsection (2)—
(a)in paragraph (a), omit “to the system”;
(b)in paragraph (b), omit “to the system”.
(4)In subsection (3)—
(a)after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”;
(b)after “operator’s” insert “, DSA service provider’s”.
(5)In subsection (4)(b), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”.
20After section 192 (role of FCA and PRA), insert—
(1)Where the first, second and third conditions are met, the Bank of England may give a direction under this section to the FCA.
(2)The first condition is that the FCA is proposing to exercise any of its powers in relation to—
(a)a recognised payment system that includes arrangements using digital settlement assets, or
(b)a recognised DSA service provider.
(3)The second condition is that the Bank of England is of the opinion that the exercise of the power in the manner proposed may—
(a)threaten the stability of the UK financial system,
(b)have serious consequences for business or other interests in the United Kingdom (including for the payment system or provider in relation to which the powers are proposed to be exercised), or
(c)have an adverse effect on the Bank’s ability to act in its capacity as a monetary authority.
(4)The third condition is that the Bank of England is of the opinion that the giving of the direction is necessary in order to avoid an outcome mentioned in subsection (3).
(5)A direction under this section is a direction requiring the FCA not to exercise the power or not to exercise it in a specified manner.
(6)The direction may be expressed to have effect during a specified period or until revoked.
(7)The FCA is not required to comply with a direction under this section if or to the extent that in the opinion of the FCA compliance would be incompatible with any international obligation of the United Kingdom.”
21(1)Section 193 (inspection) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
(3)In the opening words of subsection (2)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, or a recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
22(1)Section 194 (inspection: warrant) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)(a)—
(a)at end of sub-paragraph (i), omit “or” and insert—
“(ia)a recognised DSA service provider, or”;
(b)in sub-paragraph (ii), after “system” insert “or a recognised DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (2)(a), after “system” insert “, the DSA service provider”.
(4)In subsection (3), after “system” insert “, the DSA service provider”.
23(1)Section 195 (independent report) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)(a), omit “or”.
(3)After subsection (1)(b), insert—
“(c)a recognised DSA service provider to appoint an expert to report on the provision of services to payment systems (whether or not recognised), or
(d)a service provider in relation to a recognised DSA service provider to appoint an expert to report on the provision of services to the DSA service provider.”
(4)In subsection (2)(a), after “operator” insert “, recognised DSA service provider”.
(5)In subsection (2)(b), after “operator” insert “, recognised DSA service provider”.
24In section 196 (compliance failure)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
25In section 197 (publication), in subsection (1)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
26In section 198 (penalty), in subsection (1)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
27(1)Section 199 (closure) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2)—
(a)after “concerned” insert “, the DSA service provider concerned”;
(b)after second “system” insert “, providing services,”;
(c)after third “system” insert “or recognised DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (3)(a)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, or DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “, or a recognised DSA service provider”.
(4)In subsection (3A)—
(a)after “system” insert “, or of each recognised DSA service provider,”;
(b)after “206A(2)(b)” insert “or 206A(2A)(b) (as the case may be).”
(5)In subsection (4), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider,”.
28(1)Section 200 (management disqualification) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1), after “system” insert “or from being a DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (2)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, or a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
(4)In subsection (2A)—
(a)after “system” insert “, or of each recognised DSA service provider,”;
(b)after “206A(2)(b)” insert “or 206A(2A)(b) (as the case may be).”
29(1)Section 201 (warning) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, on a DSA service provider,”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”;
(c)in paragraph (a), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”;
(d)in paragraph (b), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”;
(e)in paragraph (d), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (1A)—
(a)after first “system” insert “or recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)in paragraph (a), after “system” insert “, or DSA service provider”;
(c)in paragraph (b), after “operator” insert “, or DSA service provider”;
(d)in paragraph (d), after “operator” insert “or DSA service provider”.
30In section 202 (appeal), in subsection (2)—
(a)after first “system” insert “or recognised DSA service provider”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or DSA service provider (as the case may be)”.
31(1)Section 202A (injunctions) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2)—
(a)in paragraph (a)—
(i)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(ii)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”;
(b)in the words following paragraph (b), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (3)—
(a)in paragraph (a)—
(i)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(ii)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”;
(b)in the words following paragraph (b), after “operator” insert “, DSA service provider,”.
32In section 203 (fees), in subsection (1)—
(a)after first “systems” insert “, recognised DSA service providers,”;
(b)after second “systems” insert “or such DSA service providers”.
33After section 203B (annual report) insert—
(1)The Bank of England must prepare a statement of the general policy it proposes to follow in relation to its oversight under this Part of —
(a)recognised payment systems that include arrangements using digital settlement assets,
(b)DSA service providers, and
(c)service providers as described in sections 206A and 206AA.
(2)Before issuing a statement of policy under this section, the Bank must consult the FCA.
(3)The Bank must —
(a)publish the statement on its website,
(b)send a copy to the Treasury, and
(c)review the statement from time to time and revise it if necessary (and paragraphs (a) and (b) apply to a revision).
(4)Nothing in this section is to be regarded as preventing the Bank of England from exercising any of its powers under this Part where it considers it necessary to do so by reason of urgency, before it has prepared a statement under this section.”
34(1)Section 204 (information) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)(a), after “206A(2)(b)” insert “or 206A(2A)(b)”.
(3)In subsection (1A)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
(4)In subsection (2)—
(a)after first “system” insert “, a recognised DSA service provider,”;
(b)after second “system” insert “or such a DSA service provider”.
35(1)Section 205 (pretending to be recognised) is amended as follows.
(2)In the opening words of subsection (1) after “system” insert “or DSA service provider”.
(3)In subsection (1)(a), after “system” insert “or provider”.
(4)In subsection (1)(b), after “system” insert “or provider”.
(5)In subsection (1A), after “system” insert “or recognised DSA service provider”.
36(1)Section 206 (saving for informal oversight) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (1)—
(a)after first “systems” insert “, DSA service providers”;
(b)after second “systems” insert “or DSA service providers”.
(3)In subsection (2)—
(a)after first “systems” insert “, DSA service providers”;
(b)after second “systems” insert “or DSA service providers”.
37(1)Section 206A (services forming part of recognised payment systems) is amended as follows.
(2)For the heading substitute “Service providers”.
(3)In subsection (1)—
(a)omit the words “persons who are”;
(b)the words after “providers” become paragraph (a);
(c)after that paragraph insert “, or
(b)in relation to a recognised DSA service provider.”
(4)After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A)A person is a service provider in relation to a recognised DSA service provider if—
(a)the person provides services to the recognised DSA service provider, and
(b)the person is specified as a person within paragraph (a) by the Treasury in the recognition order made in respect of the DSA service provider.
(2B)A payment system that includes arrangements using digital settlement assets is a service provider in relation to a recognised DSA service provider if—
(a)the system provides services to the recognised DSA service provider, and
(b)the system is specified as a system within paragraph (a) by the Treasury in the recognition order made in respect of the DSA service provider.”
(5)After subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)In relation to a recognised payment system that includes arrangements using digital settlement assets, subsection (2)(a) includes a person providing services connected with the system. See section 206AA.”
(6)In the opening words of subsection (4), after “(2)(b)” insert “or (2A)(b) or systems under subsection (2B)(b)”.
(7)In subsection (4)(b) after “system” insert “or DSA service provider”.
(8)In subsection (5) after “(2)(b)” insert “, (2A)(b) or (2B)(b)”.
38After section 206A insert—
For the purposes of section 206A(3A), a person provides services connected with the system where—
(a)the person creates or issues the digital settlement assets involved in the payment system,
(b)the person provides services to safeguard, or to safeguard and administer, digital settlement assets including their private cryptographic keys (or means of access),
(c)the person is directly involved in any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) or (b),
(d)the person is a digital settlement asset exchange provider,
(e)the person sets rules, standards, or conditions of access or participation in relation to the payment system, or
(f)the person provides any service that facilitates, or supports, a transfer of money or digital settlement assets to be made using the payment system, including any infrastructure provider in relation to the system.”
39In section 259 (statutory instruments), in the Table in subsection (3), in Part 5, at the appropriate place insert—
| “182(5C) | Meaning of “digital settlement asset” and “DSA service provider” | Draft affirmative resolution” |
40The Financial Services (Banking Reform) Act 2013 is amended as follows.
41(1)Section 41 (meaning of payment system) is amended as follows.
(2)After subsection (2) insert—
“(2A)In this Part—
“funds” includes digital settlement assets (except in section 41(2)(e));
“digital settlement asset” means a digital representation of value or rights, whether or not cryptographically secured, that—
can be used for the settlement of payment obligations,
can be transferred, stored or traded electronically, and
uses technology supporting the recording or storage of data (which may include distributed ledger technology).
(2B)In this section, “digital settlement asset” includes a right to, or interest in, a digital settlement asset.
(2C)The Treasury may by regulations amend the definition of “digital settlement asset” in subsection (2A).”
42(1)Section 42 (participants in payment systems) is amended as follows.
(2)In subsection (2)(c), for “subsection (5)” substitute “subsections (5) and (5A)”.
(3)After subsection (5) insert—
“(5A)“Payment service provider” in relation to a payment system that includes arrangements using digital settlement assets means—
(a)a person responsible for managing the issuance and redemption of digital settlement assets;
(b)a person whose business or occupation is to safeguard, or to safeguard and administer digital settlement assets, including their private cryptographic keys (or means of access);
(c)a digital settlement asset exchange provider;
(d)a person who—
(i)sets rules, standards, or conditions of access or participation in relation to the system, or
(ii)provides any service that facilitates, or supports, a transfer of money or digital settlement assets to be made using the system, including any infrastructure provider in relation to the system.”
43In section 98 (duty of regulators to ensure co-ordinated exercise of functions), for paragraph (c) of subsection (5) substitute—
“(c)in relation to the FCA—
(i)the functions conferred on it by or under FSMA 2000 (see section 1A(6) of that Act);
(ii)the functions conferred on it by or under Part 3 of the Payment Card Interchange Fee Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1911);
(iii)the functions conferred on it by or under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/99);
(iv)its functions in regulating—
(a)credit institutions where authorised under Part 4A of FSMA 2000, or
(b)authorised payment institutions under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752).”
44In section 110 (interpretation of Part), at the appropriate place insert—
““digital settlement asset” has the meaning given by section 41(2A);”;
““digital settlement asset exchange provider” has the meaning given by section 182(5B) of the Banking Act 2009;”.
45In section 112 (interpretation: infrastructure companies), after subsection (2)(a) insert—
“(aa)a recognised DSA service provider,”
46In section 113 (interpretation: other expressions), in subsection (1) at the appropriate place insert—
““recognised DSA service provider” means a DSA service provider, as defined by section 182(5A) of the Banking Act 2009, in respect of which a recognition order under section 184A of that Act is in force;”.
47(1)Section 115 (objective of FMI administration) is amended as follows.
(2)In the opening words of subsection (1) after system insert “, or a recognised DSA service provider,”.
(3)In subsection (1)(a) after “system” in each place, insert “or provider”.
48In section 143 (Parliamentary control of orders and regulations), after subsection (2)(a) insert—
“(aa)regulations under section 41(2C) (meaning of “digital settlement asset”);”.