United Kingdom“One of the pioneering firms in web3 solutions, digital assets and tokenization, recognized for its innovation and solid reputation across Spain and Latin America.”
Jorge CorredorLawyer, Rincón Cuéllar & Asociados
Asset tokenization in the United Kingdom
We build the platform to tokenize bonds, shares and revenue rights in the UK: investor onboarding, ERC-3643 tokens and synchronization with the register of members or with a Digital Securities Sandbox depository, coordinated with the law firm that structures the issuance under FSMA.
Tokenize your asset
They trust Metlabs to tokenize their assets
Why the UK
Why tokenize assets in the United Kingdom?
Since January 2024 the UK has had a legal sandbox, run by the Bank of England and the FCA, in which a depository can issue, record and settle securities on DLT under adapted rules. Since January 2026, an offer of up to £5 million also needs no prospectus, and a larger one can be made on an authorized platform.
2024
year the Digital Securities Sandbox came into force, for issuing and settling securities on DLT
legislation.gov.uk · SI 2023/1398£5M
maximum for a public offer of securities without a prospectus or a public offer platform
legislation.gov.uk · POATRs 20242025
year of the act recognizing digital things as objects of property in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
legislation.gov.uk · Property Act 2025What gets tokenized
Debt, equity and revenue: what gets tokenized in the UK
Almost every tokenized issuance represents one of these three rights against the issuer. The right determines the vehicle, the applicable law and who keeps the register, and it is settled before the network or the token standard.
| Right | Debt | Equity | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| What is issued | Bonds and debentures | Shares | Revenue rights |
| The investor receives | The investor lends to the issuer and receives interest and, at maturity, the principal. | The investor joins the share capital: dividends, voting rights and a share of any sale or liquidation. | The investor receives a share of the income from an asset: rents, energy sold, sales or royalties. |
| The token enforces |
|
|
|
| Issuer | plc, or Ltd for private offers | plc, or Ltd for private offers | plc or Ltd |
| Register | Sandbox DSD or issuer's register | Register of members (s. 113 CA 2006) | Depends on classification |
| Law | CA 2006, FSMA 2000 and POATRs | Companies Act 2006 | FSMA 2000 (s. 235) and its perimeter |
| How it is issued | The Companies Act calls any bond or debt security of a company a debenture. Inside the Digital Securities Sandbox, a digital securities depository (DSD) can issue and settle them on DLT; outside it, the legal reference is still the issuer's register or the uncertificated securities system. | Shares in a Ltd are securities too. A member is whoever appears in the register of members, and outside the sandbox the company can only register a transfer against a proper instrument of transfer or through an uncertificated system, so the token is designed to stay in sync with that register. | It can be debt with a variable return or, if contributions are pooled or the asset is managed as a whole without day-to-day control by investors, a collective investment scheme under FSMA section 235, whose promotion to the public is restricted. That is why it is classified before the token is designed. |
Regulation
Regulation guide for the United KingdomWhich regulation applies to tokenization in the UK?
It depends on the right the token represents and on the activity. A token that is a regulated investment, such as a share or a bond, follows the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 under FCA supervision, and its public offer follows the Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024. The UK does not apply MiCA: cryptoassets that are not regulated investments get their own regime from October 25, 2027.
Company law does not provide for a DLT register on its own: a member is whoever appears in the register of members, and a transfer needs a proper instrument or an uncertificated system. The Digital Securities Sandbox, run by the Bank of England and the FCA, adapts those rules so that a digital securities depository can issue, record and settle on DLT, within limits for each stage. Its regulations keep it in place until January 8, 2029.
To reach investors, an offer of up to £5 million is exempt from a prospectus; above that, it is made on a public offer platform authorized by the FCA, unless another exception applies, such as offering only to qualified investors. In every case, the offer's communication must be made or approved by an authorized firm. We coordinate the structure with law firms that specialize in English law, and firms with FCA permissions provide the regulated services.
United Kingdom
NeutralScore65
- Authorities
- FCA; Bank of England within its infrastructure remit
- Latest regulatory change
- Sep 2026
Key authorisations
- FCA registration under MLRs for in-scope UK business
- FSMA permissions according to financial instruments and services
- New regime authorisation: applications open, general application in October 2027
- DSS approvals by stage and activity where applicable
Our legal partners
Methodology
How we tokenize an asset in the UK, step by step
The four phases of our methodology, with the parties involved in the UK. The law firm and our engineering team work in parallel from the asset review to investor acquisition.
We review the asset's title, encumbrances and cash flows, and decide with the issuer whether the token will be debt, shares or a revenue right. That sets the vehicle, a plc or a Ltd, the amount and whether the issuance fits the general regime or the sandbox.
The law firm classifies the token within the FSMA perimeter, drafts the documentation and chooses the offer route: exempt by size, public offer platform or qualified investors only. It also settles which authorized firm communicates or approves the promotion.
We configure the white label platform with your brand: investor onboarding with KYC, signature, payment and ERC-3643 tokens carrying the offer's rules. Synchronization with the register of members or bondholders, or with a sandbox digital securities depository, is custom development.
With the issuer and the authorized firm that communicates the offer, we prepare the issuance page and measure the journey to a paid subscription. After the issuance, the platform handles distributions, transfers between verified investors and register updates.
Milestones
Tokenization milestones in the United Kingdom
The dates that shape the UK framework for digital assets, from the digital property act to the opening of applications for the new regime, taken from our regulation guide. Each milestone links to its source.
See the full timelineDigital property legislation
The Act clarifies eligibility as an object of personal property rights in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
United Kingdom · Property Act 2025Cryptoassets Regulations made
The instrument sets general application for October 2027 and permits earlier preparatory steps.
United Kingdom · Cryptoassets Regulations 2026FCA application gateway opens
The initial authorisation window begins, with its closing date set for 28 February 2027.
FCA · Applications open
Reviews in United Kingdom
What do our clients think of Metlabs?
“We structured the tokenization of real estate projects with them, and I value the team's ability to understand our corporate needs and genuinely solve them.”
Joan MejíaManager, GLOBYNE
“They advised us on the feasibility of tokenizing real estate assets in Uruguay with direct, cordial treatment. A professional team, responsive and always available.”
Álvaro Silva SantamaríaCEO, Sp Inmuebles
“Great professionals at structuring tokenized projects, with technical command and attention to detail that inspire full confidence at every stage of the work.”
Francisco BetancourtVerified Google review
“As a blockchain lawyer, I value their experience and professionalism in consulting and executing tokenization projects. Technology partners you can fully trust.”
Vanessa RivasBlockchain lawyer, El Salvador
“Great professionals, very attentive to their clients and always mindful of every detail. Working with their team has been a genuine pleasure from start to finish.”
CriptorentVerified Google review
“A very professional yet approachable company that empathizes with your doubts and needs. Highly recommended for entrepreneurs with a tokenization project.”
Javier EspasaTokenization entrepreneur
“Exceptional in every sense. From legal support I value their rigor and transparency: working with Metlabs means professionalism, innovation and security.”
Pedro A. Agúndez MéndezGoogle Local Guide
“Excellent service across blockchain development, asset tokenization and consulting. A very professional team that I recommend wholeheartedly, without reservation.”
José Luis DíazVerified Google review
“I have worked with them on several projects and they are very professional. A guarantee that everything turns out perfectly. Without a doubt, 100% recommended.”
Ignacio Fernández JiménezVerified Google review
“One of the pioneering firms in web3 solutions, digital assets and tokenization, recognized for its innovation and solid reputation across Spain and Latin America.”
Jorge CorredorLawyer, Rincón Cuéllar & Asociados
“Great professionals at structuring tokenized projects, with technical command and attention to detail that inspire full confidence at every stage of the work.”
Francisco BetancourtVerified Google review
“A very professional yet approachable company that empathizes with your doubts and needs. Highly recommended for entrepreneurs with a tokenization project.”
Javier EspasaTokenization entrepreneur
“I have worked with them on several projects and they are very professional. A guarantee that everything turns out perfectly. Without a doubt, 100% recommended.”
Ignacio Fernández JiménezVerified Google review
“We structured the tokenization of real estate projects with them, and I value the team's ability to understand our corporate needs and genuinely solve them.”
Joan MejíaManager, GLOBYNE
“As a blockchain lawyer, I value their experience and professionalism in consulting and executing tokenization projects. Technology partners you can fully trust.”
Vanessa RivasBlockchain lawyer, El Salvador
“Exceptional in every sense. From legal support I value their rigor and transparency: working with Metlabs means professionalism, innovation and security.”
Pedro A. Agúndez MéndezGoogle Local Guide
“They advised us on the feasibility of tokenizing real estate assets in Uruguay with direct, cordial treatment. A professional team, responsive and always available.”
Álvaro Silva SantamaríaCEO, Sp Inmuebles
“Great professionals, very attentive to their clients and always mindful of every detail. Working with their team has been a genuine pleasure from start to finish.”
CriptorentVerified Google review
“Excellent service across blockchain development, asset tokenization and consulting. A very professional team that I recommend wholeheartedly, without reservation.”
José Luis DíazVerified Google review
Platform
What does our white label tokenization platform include in the United Kingdom?
The investor portal, ERC-3643 tokens and issuer console, under your brand. Out of the box it handles onboarding, signing, payment and distributions; anything else your issuance needs, such as a local payment method or a connection to your bank or custodian, we build on the same platform.
Request a demo
- Your brand and domainYour visual identity and legal notices across the investor portal.
- Investor onboardingSign-up, KYC with passport or driving licence, KYB, MLRs 2017 and a custodial wallet.
- End-to-end investmentE-signature and payment in pounds by Faster Payments or with stablecoin (USDT/USDC).
- ERC-3643 tokensEvery subscription is issued within the POATRs £5m cap for a public offer.
- Issuer consoleProjects, investors, sterling reconciliation, distributions and reporting.
- Compliance and audit trailKYC and AML file, sanctions screening per investor, and an exportable audit log.
Institutional custody, integrated
We integrate custody and key management providers through their APIs, including Fireblocks, BitGo, Coinbase Prime, Anchorage Digital, Copper and Ledger Enterprise. Depending on the provider and model, keys are managed with MPC or multisig so that none depends on a single device. If the token is a security, custody on behalf of clients is provided by an authorized entity.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about tokenization in the UK
What we are asked before a project starts.
Talk to our teamIs asset tokenization legal in the UK?
Yes, within the general framework: the token represents a share, a bond or another right, and the issuance follows the Companies Act 2006 and FSMA. Offering, promoting or safeguarding regulated investments requires FCA permissions, and the Digital Securities Sandbox also allows securities to be issued and settled on DLT under adapted rules.
Can a UK private limited company tokenize its shares?
Its shares are securities and can be represented by a token, but a private limited company cannot offer them to the public: the Companies Act 2006 prohibits it unless the offer is a private concern, for example one made to existing members, employees or debenture holders. For an open offer, the issuer has to be a plc.
How much can be raised without a prospectus in the UK?
Since January 19, 2026, an offer of securities not admitted to trading is exempt from a prospectus if it does not exceed £5 million. Above that, it can be made on a public offer platform authorized by the FCA or rely on other exceptions, such as offering only to qualified investors or to fewer than 150 people.
What does the Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025 change?
It clarifies that a digital thing can be an object of personal property even if it fits neither of the two traditional categories, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, not Scotland. It does not make a token transfer ownership of a property or a share by itself: the relevant register and the issuance documents decide that.
Asset tokenization
Assets we tokenize in United Kingdom.
Asset tokenization
Articles on tokenization
Real Asset Tokenization: How RWA Tokenization Works
How to structure an RWA project: holder rights, issuance, recordkeeping, payments and recovery. What blockchain adds and what depends on the legal arrangement.
What are the differences between security tokens and utility tokens?
How to distinguish financial rights from service access, what legal classification examines and why a token’s name does not determine its regulation.
OpenZeppelin and ERC-3643: how a security token is built
What OpenZeppelin libraries and ERC-3643 controls provide, and what a securities issuance also requires: rights, permissions, operations and review.
Tokenize your asset in the United Kingdom
Tell us which right you want to issue and we will propose the technical structure, timeline and phased budget.
Where we are
We're your tokenization company in:
Metlabs Offices
Av. García Sabell, 1, Edificio Proa 15009 A Coruña, Spain
We tokenize assets in
SpainUnited StatesUAEMexicoSingaporeAustraliaSwitzerlandColombiaArgentinaChilePeruPortugalGermanyHong KongBrazilEcuadorFranceIndiaPanamaAndorraAustriaBahrainBelgiumBoliviaCanadaCosta RicaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDominican RepublicEl SalvadorEstoniaFinlandGreeceGuatemalaHondurasHungaryIrelandIsraelItalyJapanKuwaitLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonacoMoroccoNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigeriaNorwayOmanParaguayPolandPuerto RicoQatarRomaniaSan MarinoSaudi ArabiaSeychellesSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSwedenTurkeyUruguayVenezuela
