Mapping the institutional pivot at Digital Assets Forum London 2026
Following the introduction of HMRC’s Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF) on January 1st, global financial institutions and policymakers gathered at the 3rd annual London Digital Assets Forum (DAF3) to assess how regulatory clarity is accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets in the UK. GNcrypto attended the two-day event.
The third annual London Digital Assets Forum (DAF3) took place on February 5-6, 2026, bringing together executives from BlackRock, J.P. Morgan, Mastercard, Stripe, and policymakers to discuss institutional blockchain adoption under the UK’s evolving regulatory framework.
The two-day event, held shortly after HMRC’s new Cryptoasset Reporting Framework (CARF) took effect on January 1st, focused on how regulatory clarity is shaping institutional strategy in digital assets.
UK regulatory momentum and institutional response
Victoria Gago, Co-Founder of DAF, opened the forum by highlighting London’s position in the Global Financial Centres Index, where the city closed the gap with New York to just one point in 2025.
With its history as a centre of financial innovation and evolving regulatory environment, London is creating fertile ground for blockchain to thrive within traditional finance,
Gago said during the opening session.
The UK’s regulatory push extends beyond CARF. UK tax residents now must declare crypto returns as capital gains starting January 1st, 2026. The FCA has stated its intention to open a regulatory sandbox for testing stablecoin payments, following a fintech-style approach to digital asset oversight.
A recent Barclays Bank report referred to 2026 as the “year of great regulation” as digital assets come under the purview of mainstream finance. This standardization is expected to accelerate institutional support for digital assets.
Key speakers and institutional perspectives
Speakers at DAF3 included:
- Nikhil Sharma (BlackRock)
- Emma Lovett (J.P. Morgan)
- Paul Worthington (Stripe)
- Dorothea Ysenburg (Mastercard)
- Tim Grant (Deus X Capital)
- Stani Kulechov (Aave)
Sessions covered policy and regulation, tokenization, DeFi integration, and institutional strategy in digital assets for the year ahead.
BlackRock’s Nikhil Sharma discussed institutional demand for tokenized assets, while Emma Lovett (J.P. Morgan) outlined the bank’s shift toward digital asset custody frameworks.
Stani Kulechov (Aave) provided a DeFi perspective on how decentralized protocols are working within regulatory frameworks, particularly in jurisdictions like the UK that are taking a principles-based approach to oversight.
UK digital asset landscape in 2026
London has consolidated its position as Europe’s leading digital asset hub, accounting for more than a third of the region’s blockchain talent. Crypto adoption rates have reached over 24% of UK adults, according to data referenced at the event.
Enterprise and institutional deals account for over 70% of the UK’s digital asset investments, a trend expected to continue as regulatory certainty attracts institutional capital.
The Transatlantic Taskforce for Markets of the Future is also promising deeper integration between US and UK capital markets, with its first round of policy recommendations due in March 2026.
Event format and outcomes
Beyond main-stage discussions, DAF3 featured dedicated breakout rooms for smaller sessions, two private rooms for one-to-one meetings, and a separate space for press briefings.
The agenda and meeting formats were structured to enable senior leaders to compare strategies, advance partnerships, and move initiatives forward in a trusted, institution-first environment.
GNcrypto attended as media partner, covering key sessions and conducting interviews with speakers and attendees throughout the two-day event.
What’s next for UK digital assets
With CARF now in effect, the FCA’s stablecoin sandbox expected to launch in 2026, and the Transatlantic Taskforce recommendations due in March, the UK’s regulatory framework for digital assets is taking shape rapidly.
Digital Assets Forum returns to London in 2027. For more information, visit: www.eblockchainconvention.com/digital-assets-forum/
About Digital Assets Forum:
Launched in 2018 in Barcelona, the European Blockchain Convention – organizer of Digital Assets Forum – has become the premier blockchain event in Europe. The event connects industry professionals, innovative startups, and leading technology experts, providing a platform for sharing insights, fostering collaborations, and exploring the potential of blockchain, crypto, and digital assets.
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