The government signalled plans to issue temporary licences

Fintech startups could be about to start trading much sooner after the government signalled plans to issue temporary licences in advance of getting full accreditation.

Startups often suffer delays of months or even over a year as they wait for regulators at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to grant them authorisation, during which they burn through cash and find it difficult to raise fresh funds from investors.

But under plans for a new regime, firms that meet entry criteria will be able to undertake some regulated activities on a provisional basis, subject to safeguards, while they wait to complete the full FCA authorisation process over an 18-month period.

The Treasury said the flexible approach will remove a major barri

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