Citing integrity issues and high market volatility, the finance watchdog organization announced in their July Policy Statement their imminent plans to "publish a CP on a potential ban on the sale to retail clients of derivatives and certain transferable securities that reference cryptoassets." src
Reaffirming their commitment to the public with regards to it's UK Cryptoasset Taskforce, FCA conducted a survey among the populace and discovered that most cryptocurrency investors don’t really understand what they’re buying.
The financial regulator seems particularly concerned with the decentralized, unregulated nature of cryptoassets which makes it difficult for retail clients to accurately value therefore leaving them at excessive risk of loss.
According to Christopher Woolard, the executive director of strategy and competition at the FCA:
"“Most consumers cannot reliably value derivatives based on unregulated crypto-assets. Prices are extremely volatile and as we have seen globally, financial crime in crypto-asset markets can lead to sudden and unexpected losses." src
Adding,
“It is therefore clear to us that these derivatives and exchange traded notes are unsuitable investments for retail consumers.” src
The FCA estimates that crypto-derivative investing costs UK consumers up to £235 million ($295 million). The assert that a ban on trading could result in 'substantial' financial benefits to pubic traders.
If the ban is agreed upon (which seems likely) it would still need to go through a consultation process over the next few months. The FCA says it expects to have an official policy statement and handbook of rules by the first quarter of next year.