As a seasoned crypto investor with a decade-long journey in this digital frontier, I find the recent move by the UK government to recognize cryptocurrencies as personal property under the law, a step forward that brings much-needed clarity and legal protection to our community. Having faced my fair share of legal grey areas and potential scams, I welcome the increased safeguards against fraudulent activities.


On September 11th, the UK government presented the “Property (Digital Assets) Bill.” This bill classifies digital possessions, including cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens like digital artwork, and carbon credits, as legal personal property.

Legal safeguards for tech-friendly owners of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and other digital assets have been strengthened with a significant update to the law.

Crypto Now Property

Earlier, the boundaries of British property law didn’t clearly cover digital assets, which meant that owners found themselves in a legally ambiguous situation if their digital assets were tampered with.

The statement further clarified that the upcoming legislation intends to provide legal safeguards for both individual owners of digital assets as well as related businesses, offering them protection from deceitful activities such as fraud and scams.

As a crypto investor, I can see how blockchain technology could streamline the process for legal professionals when handling intricate cases involving digital assets. For instance, in situations where ownership of cryptocurrencies is contested or if they’re being considered during settlements – like in divorce proceedings – blockchain-based solutions would make it easier to verify and divide these assets accurately.

In simpler terms, the United Kingdom has approved a law enabling cryptocurrencies and other digital assets to be identified as personal possessions.

That means owners of digital assets will gain legal protection against fraud and scams.

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— Ministry of Justice (@MoJGovUK) September 11, 2024

UK Justice Minister Heidi Alexander said:

“It is essential that the law keeps pace with evolving technologies, and this legislation will mean that the sector can maintain its position as a global leader in cryptoassets and bring clarity to complex property cases.”

The new law has been introduced following a report by the UK Ministry of Justice in 2023.

It concluded that “some digital assets are neither things in possession nor things in action, but that nonetheless the law of England and Wales treats them as capable of being things to which personal property rights can relate.”

Additionally, it was highlighted that this decision could strengthen the national legal field, making it more adaptable to emerging technologies and thereby drawing in more commercial opportunities and investment within the legal services industry.

Not All Good News?

As a researcher delving into this subject, I’ve noticed that numerous individuals expressing their views on crypto Twitter are concerned about a proposed bill. Their primary worry seems to revolve around the potential for increased governmental authority to levy taxes or confiscate assets currently classified as “property.

The newly installed Labour administration has unveiled ambitious tax increase proposals that could potentially affect various sectors, including digital assets. However, it’s yet to be determined if these changes will specifically apply to digital assets in their revised classification.

Some analysts are optimistic, predicting that regulatory frameworks for stablecoins could be set up in the United Kingdom by the year-end 2024.

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2024-09-12 09:09