UK Passes Bill Formally Recognizing Crypto as a New Category of Property
The UK has formally recognized crypto assets as a distinct third category of property with the passing of the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025.Summary
The United Kingdom officially incorporated digital assets like Bitcoin, stablecoins, and NFTs into its legal framework by passing the Property (Digital Assets etc.) Act 2025, which received Royal Assent from King Charles III. This act establishes a third, legally recognized category of property, separate from traditional "things in possession" (physical objects) and "things in action" (contractual rights). Policymakers and industry figures, such as Susie Ward of Bitcoin Policy UK, hailed the reform as a major modernization of English property law, potentially the biggest change since the Middle Ages. The new classification provides clearer legal pathways for proving ownership, recovering stolen assets, and handling digital assets in cases of insolvency or estate planning, thereby boosting consumer and investor protection. This legislative move follows a 2023 recommendation from the Law Commission and builds upon previous regulatory shifts, such as the lifting of the ban on retail access to crypto Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) earlier in the year.
(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)