UK May Be Missing Out On Another Crypto Wave, Warns Former Chancellor George Osborne

In a warning to the UK government, former Finance Minister George Osborne said that Britain may be “left behind” in the global crypto race. According to a Financial Times report published on 4 August 2025, Osborne said, “Britain missed the first crypto wave. We can’t miss the second.”

“We became the world’s financial center because we weren’t afraid of change,” said Osborne. “On crypto and stablecoins, as on too many other things, the hard truth is this: we’re being completely left behind. It’s time to catch up.”

Osborne drew parallels to the transformative “Big Bank” of the 1980’s. He urged for immediate and decisive action to prevent the UK from missing out on what he terms “a historic opportunity in financial innovation.”

In case you hadn't noticed – the world is moving forward on crypto and digital assets, (esp among banks & financial institutions.)

Britain (sadly) isn't keeping up.

Former UK Chancellor @George_Osborne is right…

…it's time to kick into high gear.

Besides – if Osborne had… pic.twitter.com/Wu3w18P4aQ

— Ian Simpson (@ian_simpson80) August 4, 2025

DISCOVER: 20+ Next Crypto to Explode in 2025 

Osborne Serves On Global Advisory Council For Crypto Exchange Coinbase

Notably, the former Finance Minister serves on the Global Advisory Council for Coinbase. He called Labour Party’s approach to digital assets “overly cautious” and sluggish. Furthermore, he argues that the regulatory inaction and bureaucratic delays are causing the UK to fall dangerously behind US, the European Union (EU) and Asian countries like Singapore, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi. 

On 4 August 2025, a Coinbase advertisement – a satire on the financial system- got banned. The UK ban was initiated by the TV Networks. Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong took to X to say that “there are people in the UK who still think of crypto as some kind of gambling product (a very outdated view), and have completely missed the potential of crypto which is to update and improve the financial system for the benefit of everyone.”

Our ad which got banned in the UK by the TV networks has sparked quite a reaction. If you can’t say it, then there must be a kernel of truth in it.

Needing to update the system and improve society is not a political statement on either party in the UK (some have tried to turn it… https://t.co/VJqyYnnI2W

— Brian Armstrong (@brian_armstrong) August 3, 2025

Coinbase CEO has not only challenged the ban, but insisted that the company will continue to make similar statements. Armstrong’s post received both criticism and support, with people pointing out that “nothing better than getting banned to go viral.”

Nothing better than getting banned to go viral

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