UK FCA emerging technology horizon scan report

The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its first external publication of the emerging technology horizon scan 2026. It is intended to inform debate and support industry collaboration, rather than to provide formal regulatory guidance or predictions.

The report identifies key trends:

• Technological convergence is accelerating, changing the way financial systems operate and serve consumers, creating new opportunities and risks.
• Personalised intelligence could help consumers navigate their lives. Where AI becomes the primary interface between consumers and firms, this could improve financial decision-making and access to tailored products. However, it also highlights issues around autonomy, digital exclusion and customer protection.
• Synthetic crime is rapidly evolving and will impact how the FCA tackles financial crime. Synthetic media is also making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between real and manipulated content. This may erode trust and expose consumers and firms to new forms of fraud and deception.
• Programmable finance could support growth. Distributed ledger technology, tokenisation, central bank digital currencies, stablecoins and smart contracts are becoming mainstream, and these developments can increase speed and efficiency.

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