FCA: Bobosher Sharipov and Bekzod Avazov
FCA has started criminal proceedings against the individuals for insider dealing. Bobosher Sharipov worked at Jefferies International Limited and advised GCP Student Living Plc on a potential takeover. He is charged with leaking confidential inside information about the takeover to his close friend and business associate, Bekzod Avazov, who is alleged to have used that confidential inside information to trade in the shares and spread bets to make a profit of almost £70,000.
Last updated · 13 Mar 2026
Regulatory News - Financial Services & Regulation
See allDBT/HMT: Letter to HoL Financial Services Regulation Committee re Financial Services and Markets Bill
Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment, has responded to the Committee’s concerns over clause 17 of the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which removes the requirement that PRA and FCA must have regard to the regulatory principles in s3B of FSMA, and removes the requirement for the regulators to show how they have had regard to the regulatory principles when notifying the Committee of consultations. Lord Stockwood states that “it is not the Government’s intention to reduce accountability, or to remove the regulatory principles from the statutory framework”.
For more information
FCA: Speech by Nikhil Rathi: Re-thinking regulation for the age of AI
Text of Nikhil Rathi’s speech of 24 June 2026 follows. He discusses agentic systems, tokenisation, operational resilience and FCA’s approach to regulation.
For more information
HMT/OPSI: The U.S. and UK economic sanctions authorities – a comparative overview
This guidance compares key aspects of U.S. and UK sanctions regimes, highlighting similarities and differences. It focuses on topics such as sanctions lists, available licenses, and record keeping and reporting requirements.
FCA: Insurance financial crime controls – multi-firm review
FCA has reviewed the design of financial crime systems and controls across a selection of large insurance firms to see how effective they are. FCA found that they are mostly effective. There are areas, however, for some improvement and firms should follow good practice on risk assessments, client due diligence arrangements and transaction monitoring. Overall, FCA found that the life insurance sector was the strongest portfolio.
HMT: First Time Buyer ISA
HMT is consulting on a new product which is intended to be offered in place of the Lifetime ISA. Responses are required by 17 August 2026.