UK recognises crypto as property in major digital asset shift

  • UK law now formally recognises cryptocurrencies as personal property under new legislation.
  • The Property Digital Assets Act gives courts clearer rules for ownership and asset recovery.
  • Rising crypto adoption pushed the UK to strengthen legal clarity for digital asset rights.

The UK has made a major change to how digital assets are treated in law, confirming that cryptocurrencies and other electronic tokens qualify as personal property.

The update became official when the Property Digital Assets Bill received royal assent in the House of Lords this week, with Lord Speaker John McFall announcing that King Charles had formally approved it.

The move arrives as crypto adoption continues to rise across the country and as courts have been settling digital asset disputes without a clear statutory framework.

By writing this principle into legislation, the UK aims to reduce uncertainty for users when proving ownership, recovering stolen assets, or handling digital holdings during insolvency or estate processes.

UK gives digital assets a clear legal status

Until now, UK courts recognised crypto as property only through common law, meaning judges reached conclusions based on earlier rulings rather than a specific statute.

The new law follows a 2024 recommendation from the Law Commission of England and Wales, which said that digital assets should be treated as a new form of personal property because they do not fit neatly into existing categories.

Personal property in the UK traditionally falls into two groups: a “thing in possession,” which refers to physical items, and a “thing in action,” which refers to enforceable rights such as debts or contracts.

Digital assets sit between these definitions.

They exist electronically, can be transferred like possessions, and are used in financial systems, yet they do not align perfectly with one category.

The bill clarifies that digital or electronic items can still be recognised as property even if they are neither a physical object nor an enforceable claim.

The Law Commission warned that the unclear fit of digital assets could complicate court decisions, especially when resolving disputes involving ownership or loss.

Growing adoption pushes the UK toward stronger rules

The new legislation forms part of a wider push to build a structured framework for digital assets.

The goal is to strengthen consumer protection while encouraging innovation in digital finance.

Adoption continues to expand. Late last year, the financial regulator reported that roughly 12% of UK adults hold cryptocurrency, up from 10% in its previous findings.

The rise signals that more users are engaging with digital assets, making legal clarity an essential part of future policy planning.

By recognising crypto as personal property and preparing broader regulations, the UK is aiming to support the digital economy while giving users a firmer understanding of their rights.

The shift is expected to shape future industry practices and improve how courts interpret disputes involving blockchain-based assets.

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Glassnode report reveals Bitcoin’s growing stability amid ETF activity and RWA expansion

  • Bitcoin’s 2025 cycle shows rising institutional flows, lower volatility, and deeper liquidity.
  • Tokenized real-world assets surge to $24 billion, boosting institutional adoption and on-chain activity.
  • ETFs reshape Bitcoin liquidity as stablecoins remain key rails in a more mature digital asset market.

Bitcoin’s latest cycle is developing under a very different market structure, with data from Glassnode and Fasanara Capital pointing to deeper institutional participation, rapid growth in tokenized real-world assets, and a notable drop in volatility.

Their Q4 Digital Assets Report highlights how Bitcoin’s behaviour has shifted as regulated investment channels expand, and liquidity becomes more stable across spot, derivatives, and on-chain markets.

The findings show how ETF flows, settlement activity, and broader adoption of tokenised instruments are shaping a more mature phase in the digital asset ecosystem.

These structural changes are defining how capital moves through Bitcoin in 2025.

Institutional flows reshape the cycle

The report estimated that Bitcoin has absorbed around $732 billion in new capital during this cycle.

This has occurred alongside a clear decline in one-year realised volatility, which has fallen by nearly half.

Glassnode linked this trend to increased depth across major markets and a larger share of trading driven by institutional strategies.

Glassnode also reported that Bitcoin settled approximately $6.9 trillion over the past 90 days.

This puts Bitcoin in a range comparable to payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.

Even with more trading moving into ETF and brokerage channels, the report found that Bitcoin and stablecoins still dominate value transfer on public blockchains.

ETF channels deepen liquidity

ETF-linked demand has reshaped how investment enters and exits Bitcoin.

Instead of relying mainly on on-chain movement or exchange activity, a greater share of flows now passes through regulated investment vehicles.

According to the report, this shift has encouraged smoother liquidity conditions and fewer sharp price changes in spot markets.

Traditional market makers and arbitrage firms have increased their presence due to ETF participation.

Their involvement has tightened spreads and reduced disruption during periods of heightened selling pressure.

This development reflects a broader alignment between digital asset markets and established financial infrastructure.

Tokenized RWAs accelerate

Tokenized real-world assets have expanded from $7 billion to $24 billion within one year.

Glassnode stated that this rise reflects stronger institutional demand, including interest from pension funds, hedge funds, and corporations that want on-chain exposure to familiar financial instruments.

Tokenized funds have gained momentum as asset managers test new distribution models and investors seek simplified access to traditional assets.

Platforms involved in tokenised RWAs have strengthened custody, settlement, and compliance systems.

This foundation has encouraged consistent inflows throughout 2025, supporting a growing segment of the market that links traditional assets with blockchain settlement rails.

Stablecoin role strengthens

Glassnode described the market structure as larger and more stable than in previous cycles.

The data indicated deeper liquidity across spot, derivatives, and on-chain channels, which has contributed to a more measured trading environment.

Reduced volatility has become a defining feature of the cycle, shaped by institutional trading strategies that tend to use steady allocation models.

Stablecoins continue to serve as key connectors between traditional and digital financial systems.

The report stated that stablecoin settlement demand remains substantial across centralised and decentralised platforms.

Glassnode characterised the dual-rail system created by stablecoins and traditional infrastructure as a permanent part of the ecosystem, supporting both institutional flows and retail trading activity.

Analysts referenced in the report expect institutional participation to expand as tokenised funds gain broader acceptance.

Glassnode presented this phase as a turning point marked by heavier institutional flows, rising tokenisation, and reduced volatility.

These factors suggest that Bitcoin and the wider digital asset sector are moving into a more structurally mature environment in 2025.

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