Cryptocurrencies could play a significant role in reshaping and reinvigorating the UK’s financial services sector in the aftermath of Brexit, says a leading expert.

Nigel Green, founder and CEO of DeVere Group, made the bold statement as Britain’s Brexit-weary economy began showing the early signs of contraction for the first time since the in-out referendum in 2016.

Coupled with economic statistics coming out of the US and parts of Europe, the contraction has fuelled speculation of an impending worldwide recession.

“Brexit and the lingering uncertainty it has created has inflicted unprecedented damage on the UK’s financial services sector – which makes up about 6.5% of Britain’s overall GDP,” he told Coin Rivet.

“Companies across the industry have had to take precautionary action to safeguard their interests.

“There’s been a steady drain of investment, confidence, talent, and activity away from UK financial services – and this is only likely to intensify in the coming months and even more so should the UK leave with no deal.”

Impressive run

His thoughts follow the world’s largest cryptocurrency by market cap enjoying an impressive few weeks as Bitcoin currently eyes a sustained spell above $12,000. Last month, the world’s leading cryptocurrency recorded a 193% year-to-date price run.

“London is – for the time being at least – the world’s largest and most important financial hub, but its dominance is fading as Brexit Britain flounders in uncertainty,” Mr Green continued.

“How, then, to reshape and reinvigorate UK financial services in a post-Brexit era? A major part of the answer must be cryptocurrencies.

“I believe cryptocurrencies could and should dramatically help change the fortunes of Britain’s beleaguered financial services industry for three key reasons.

“First, once outside of the EU, the UK will not be beholden to the bloc’s notoriously slow and burdensome bureaucratic protocols. It could promptly establish its own rules and regulations and set up an innovative, pro-business, well-regulated market. This could position it alongside other crypto-friendly jurisdictions such as Japan and Switzerland – and ahead of many EU member states.

Borderless

“Second, cryptocurrencies – which are digital, global, and borderless – are unquestionably the future of money. This is noted by the growing amount of retail and institutional investment into the burgeoning sector. Whilst other jurisdictions focus on the current, the UK should set its sights on the future to be ahead of the game.

“And third, the UK is already a thriving global fintech [financial technology] and blockchain [the tech on which cryptocurrencies run] hub. This should be capitalised on further.

“The growing cryptocurrency market has already provided tangible economic benefits to other major economies. Post-Brexit Britain will be uniquely placed to go even further, and by embracing it, it could reboot the UK’s financial services sector.”