- Coinbase backs a UK petition urging clear rules for stablecoins and wider blockchain adoption.
- The petition has topped 50,000 signatures; 10,000 triggers a government response, 100,000 prompts a parliamentary debate.
- Supporters warn the UK could fall behind without a clear crypto strategy.
After the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase urged its users to support the initiative, a public petition calling on the UK to adopt an innovation-friendly approach to blockchain and stablecoins has gained strong momentum.
Posted on the UK government website in July, the petition asks for a comprehensive framework covering stablecoin regulation, broader blockchain adoption across government departments, and the appointment of a senior official to coordinate blockchain policy.
Initially the petition attracted little attention, but interest accelerated this week after Coinbase pushed an in-app message encouraging users to sign.
Screenshots shared on social media show the exchange’s notification asking customers to “help the UK lead on stablecoin innovation now.”
At the time of writing, the petition has surpassed 5,000 signatures.
When the petition reaches 10,000 signatures, the government is required to publish an official response.
If the total rises to 100,000 signatures, the proposal will be considered for debate in Parliament.
The petition remains open until 3 March 2026.
Calls for regulatory clarity and innovation
The proposal sets out three specific requests: to create a regulatory framework for stablecoins and tokenisation, to encourage blockchain adoption across government functions, and to designate a senior official responsible for overseeing crypto policy.
Supporters argue that stablecoins form the foundation of a tokenised economy and that regulatory clarity is essential for the UK to remain competitive.
The petition highlights that the United States has taken steps that effectively exclude central bank digital currency (CBDC) from replacing stablecoins, suggesting the UK risks falling behind without a clear strategy.
The petition states: “This is a matter of national interest to preserve the competitiveness of the City of London and the global role of the pound.”
Advocates warn that without timely action, the UK risks losing ground to other jurisdictions pursuing more ambitious digital-asset policies.
Coinbase’s role in shaping UK crypto policy
Coinbase has been outspoken in calling for clearer digital-asset regulation in the UK.
In recent months the exchange has stepped up efforts to influence public debate and policymaking.
On 31 July, Coinbase released a satirical video titled “Everything’s Fine.”
The video pairs upbeat, celebratory lyrics about the UK financial system with jarring visuals of inflation, poverty, and economic strain, offering a pointed critique of the status quo.
Just days later, on 5 August, former UK chancellor and current Coinbase adviser George Osborne published an opinion piece in the Financial Times.
Osborne warned that the UK is falling behind in the global digital-asset race and singled out stablecoins as a key area where the country risks losing out.
Coinbase’s support for the petition reflects a broader strategy to push for regulatory certainty and create a more favorable operating environment for digital assets in the UK.
With the petition already halfway to the government-response threshold, the initiative underscores growing pressure on policymakers to provide clear direction on stablecoins and blockchain innovation.