Ripple has backed a new UK government-led strategy aimed at accelerating the use of blockchain technology in wholesale financial markets, as the country pushes to become a global hub for tokenized assets.
The roadmap, developed by the UK’s Wholesale Digital Markets Champion Chris Woolard, outlines steps to move tokenized funds, government bonds, and repo transactions from pilot programs into live financial markets. Ripple is among the industry participants supporting the initiative, alongside banks, asset managers, and market infrastructure firms.
Onchain funds, bonds and repo aren’t experiments. They’re already happening, delivering onchain financial instruments that are cheaper, better and faster than their legacy equivalents.
The UK has the capital markets depth and regulatory credibility to be a global leader in… pic.twitter.com/ELEP4x9UGL
— Ripple (@Ripple) July 13, 2026
The strategy estimates that wider adoption of tokenization could contribute up to £33 billion to the UK’s annual economic output and generate £14 billion in yearly tax revenue by 2035 if adoption grows and the country captures a significant share of the global tokenized asset market.
What is the UK planning for tokenized markets?
The taskforce brings together 54 organizations across banking, digital assets, asset management, and financial infrastructure. It will establish nine action groups focused on key areas including settlement, collateral, legal frameworks, and market access.
Its first major goal is to complete a live end-to-end tokenized repo transaction by spring 2027, allowing securities to be used as blockchain-based collateral for short-term borrowing.
The roadmap also calls on the UK government to issue its first digital gilt (DIGIT) by early 2027. In addition, it urges regulators to clarify whether tokenized government bonds can be used as eligible collateral within existing wholesale financial markets.
Can regulation move tokenization beyond pilot programs?
The UK has already started testing tokenized securities through the Digital Securities Sandbox, led by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England. Sixteen firms are participating in live trials involving tokenized bonds, equities, and investment funds.
The UK’s FCA also finalized its long-awaited crypto regulatory framework, setting out new rules for trading platforms, stablecoin issuers, custodians and other digital asset businesses ahead of a mandatory authorization regime that begins in October. Regulators are also gathering industry feedback on settlement assets, tokenized collateral, and how blockchain networks should connect with existing financial infrastructure.
While tokenization can improve settlement speed and reduce manual processes, regulators say firms still need clear rules covering custody, legal ownership, capital treatment, and settlement before the technology can be widely adopted.
Ripple sees opportunity as UK expands blockchain finance
Ripple said the UK’s strong financial markets and developing regulatory framework position it to become a leader in tokenized wholesale finance. The company has continued expanding its business across payments, stablecoins, digital asset custody, and tokenization.
Although Ripple supports the initiative, the roadmap will be led by HM Treasury, UK regulators, and the wider taskforce, which will determine the final technical standards and regulatory framework.
The roadmap shifts the UK’s focus from policy discussions to real-world implementation, with a 12-month delivery plan centered on live blockchain use cases. The taskforce will publish progress updates throughout the year and is accepting industry feedback on the roadmap until September 4.
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