Several leading UK finance and crypto organizations are calling on the government to ensure blockchain and digital assets are included in the country’s proposed “Tech Bridge” partnership with the United States.
According to Bloomberg, trade associations including the UK Cryptoasset Business Council, UK Finance, and TheCityUK have written to Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Economic Secretary to the Treasury Lucy Rigby, urging blockchain’s inclusion in the agreement.
A Push for Digital Assets in the UK-US Tech Bridge
The Tech Bridge initiative aims to deepen collaboration between London and Washington across cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Industry groups argue that blockchain deserves a central place in the talks.
“Excluding digital assets from the UK-US Tech Bridge would be a missed opportunity,” the letter warned. “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.”
Patrick Wintour
UK Sees U.S. as a Natural Tech Partner
The push comes just days after Peter Mandelson, the UK’s ambassador to Washington, highlighted the importance of UK-US cooperation in emerging technologies. The government has described the two countries as “natural partners,” noting that they are the only allied nations with trillion-dollar tech sectors.
The UK has already partnered with the U.S. in areas such as AI and cybersecurity, but industry leaders stress that blockchain has the potential to transform finance, trade, and digital infrastructure—making its exclusion from the Tech Bridge a strategic oversight.
Global Competition in Blockchain Standards
Part of the concern raised by UK groups is the global race to set blockchain standards. With nations in Asia and the Middle East advancing rapidly, excluding blockchain from the Tech Bridge could weaken the UK’s influence in shaping the future regulatory and technological landscape.
Looking Ahead
While the UK government has not yet commented on whether blockchain will be formally added to the Tech Bridge, pressure from trade associations signals growing recognition of the technology’s role in global finance. Whether or not blockchain becomes part of the deal, the debate highlights the increasing importance of digital assets in international policy and economic strategy.
