A UK government spokesperson reportedly confirmed ongoing cooperation with the US in AI, quantum, and cybersecurity.
Lobby groups from the finance and technology sectors are pressing the UK government to ensure blockchain is included in a planned cooperation deal with the United States, Bloomberg reported.
The calls come ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit to London next week, where he will be accompanied by senior US tech executives.
In a letter to Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby, more than a dozen associations urged the government to make blockchain a “core strand” of the so-called UK-US Tech Bridge.
The groups, which include the UK Cryptoasset Business Council, UK Finance, and TheCityUK, said leaving digital assets out would risk sidelining Britain in global financial innovation.
“Excluding digital assets from the UK-US Tech Bridge would be a missed opportunity,” the letter said. “It risks leaving Britain on the sidelines while others — particularly in the Middle East and Asia — move ahead in setting the standards that will shape the future of finance.”
According to the Financial Times, the UK and the US are preparing to announce new partnerships in artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Trump, who has backed crypto assets during his second term, is expected to raise digital assets during his state visit. His delegation includes OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed that both countries already cooperate on AI, quantum, and cybersecurity, but declined to comment on possible new initiatives.
The lobbying push comes as the UK seeks to define its approach to crypto regulation. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged in 2022 to make the UK a hub for crypto asset technology, but a comprehensive framework has yet to emerge. The Financial Conduct Authority is consulting on new rules, with licensing applications expected to open in 2026.
The groups pointed to stablecoins and tokenization as strategically important for both economies. Stablecoins, pegged to traditional currencies and backed by reserve assets, are entering mainstream finance following Trump’s signing of new US legislation in July.
Tokenization, which places assets such as bonds or equities on blockchain ledgers, has been identified as a key innovation for financial markets.
In March, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed the UK would work with the US on crypto regulation after talks with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Industry groups now warn that without alignment, firms could face barriers to operating across transatlantic markets.
The pressure adds to questions over whether blockchain will be given equal footing with AI and quantum in shaping the future of UK-US technological cooperation.
