WhiteBIT launches U.K. exchange with GBP Faster Payments

WhiteBIT launched a U.K. exchange at whitebit.uk on May 20, 2026, offering British users the ability to deposit British pounds via the Faster Payments Service and payment cards. The platform opened accounts for both retail and institutional customers.

Retail customers can access spot trading, market analytics and instant crypto-to-fiat conversion tools. Users can fund accounts directly in GBP by card or Faster Payments, removing the need for an intermediary currency conversion before trading. Institutional clients will receive API connectivity, liquidity and market-making support, token listing services and a Crypto-as-a-Service layer that allows firms to run trading and custody operations on WhiteBIT infrastructure.

Both retail and institutional clients can use crypto lending and auto-invest features, subject to onboarding checks and applicable U.K. regulations.

The launch comes as U.K. authorities continue to develop a regulatory framework for digital assets. The Financial Conduct Authority reported in 2025 that 91% of U.K. adults are aware of crypto assets, about 8% of adults hold crypto, and 73% of those holders use centralized exchanges to access markets.

WhiteBIT is part of W Group and was founded in 2018. W Group reports it serves more than 35 million customers worldwide. Independent assessments place the exchange among the top three globally for security, and the company reports it was the first exchange to reach Level 3 certification under the Cryptocurrency Security Standard. WhiteBIT applies anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer checks across its operations.

Volodymyr Nosov, founder and president of W Group, called the U.K. launch “an important milestone” and added: “The U.K. has long been a global financial hub, and we see strong demand for platforms that combine innovation with a high level of trust, transparency, and compliance.”

WhiteBIT said GBP rails are central to its U.K. offering and that it plans to expand its product range and local presence as U.K. regulation develops. No timeline was provided for additional products.