Industry groups across finance, payments, and digital assets are urging the British government to embed stablecoins, tokenization, and distributed ledger technology (DLT) as central pillars of the UK–US Tech Bridge. The call comes ahead of President Trump’s rare second state visit to the UK, which will run from September 17 to 19. Excluding digital assets from this bilateral partnership, they argue, would be a “missed opportunity” that risks sidelining Britain while rival regions such as Asia and the Middle East push forward with digital finance leadership.
The UK–US Tech Bridge was designed to strengthen collaboration on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, quantum, biotechnology, and digital finance. Trade bodies stressed in a letter to Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP, that DLT and tokenization should be considered a “core strand” within this framework. The signatories included heavyweight organizations such as TheCityUK, Global Digital Finance, the Crypto Council for Innovation, the Payments Association, techUK, and the City of London Corporation.
Supporters of this move argue that DLT is transforming global financial services by enabling faster and cheaper payments, streamlined capital flows, increased efficiency, and broader financial inclusion. The letter emphasized that tokenization and stablecoins are not peripheral innovations but fundamental shifts that align with the UK’s role as a global financial hub—handling nearly 40% of global FX turnover—and the United States’ position as home to the largest capital markets. Together, these powers could set global standards in digital finance.
Industry leaders describe the partnership as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish the first transatlantic framework for digital assets and to shape rules of the digital economy from within the UK and U.S., rather than allowing others to dictate them. They also highlighted the UK government’s ongoing work to develop a joint sandbox with the U.S., which could accelerate practical implementation and regulatory clarity for cross-border innovation.
The urgency is amplified by the political context. Trump’s visit, extended by King Charles and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, reflects both diplomatic significance and economic opportunity. It comes after the UK Treasury in April announced its intent to collaborate with the U.S. on crypto regulation. Chancellor Rachel Reeves reiterated her commitment to making Britain a hub for digital asset innovation, promising new rules for firms offering services in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and tokenized securities to boost investor confidence.
Industry experts warn that failure to act decisively could see Britain lose its competitive edge. While subsidies, regulation, and political will are aligning in other markets, the UK risks being overshadowed unless it firmly integrates DLT, stablecoins, and tokenization into its global strategy.
Conclusion
By including digital assets in the UK–US Tech Bridge, Britain and the U.S. could cement themselves as the world’s standard-setters in digital finance, driving innovation, safeguarding interoperability, and ensuring that economic growth is underpinned by blockchain-based technologies. With the right policy choices, the partnership could deliver not only competitive advantages but also shape the global rules of the next financial era.
