Ambition with a regulatory-first mindset

Ambition with a regulatory-first mindset 

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Balancing ambition and compliance: The BCB growth story

Since its founding in 2017, BCB Group has charted a growth path that balances ambition with caution. Established in the UK by Oliver Tonkin and Oliver von Landsberg-Sadie, the company was created with a clear vision: to build robust infrastructure for the blockchain era and address the challenges of holding and transferring funds in the digital economy.

From those early days, BCB has sought to combine rapid innovation with a regulatory-first mindset. This dual focus has underpinned its trajectory from a start-up to one of Europe’s leading digital asset and payment providers, processing north of $250 billion in transactions volumes in 2025. 

Milestones built on a foundation of regulation

BCB’s early milestones reflect both ambition and an adherence to compliance. In 2018, the firm registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, laying the foundation for a structured, regulated approach to digital payments.

In the years that followed, BCB accelerated its growth through strategic partnerships and funding milestones, including a 2020 collaboration with Circle to support institutional demand for USDC stablecoin services, a $4.5 million funding round in 2021, and the UK’s largest Series A for a blockchain company in 2022, which raised $60 million.

Most recently, BCB has expanded its footprint into France, becoming an authorised E-Money Institution and a registered Digital Assets Services Provider in 2024. Numerous partnerships with tier one industry firms and the integration of BLINC into key networks further showcase the company’s ability to scale secure, instant fiat transfers across markets.

Walking away to stay ahead

While growth remains a key strategic objective for BCB, the firm has consistently ensured that expansion never compromises long-term trust or regulatory integrity. 

Tonkin and other executives stress that BCB will walk away from partnerships or opportunities where counterparties fail to meet compliance standards or regulatory clarity is lacking. 

Growth without compromise  

Not every compliance-related decision is about saying “no.” Many reflect careful structuring to enable growth within regulatory frameworks. 

Partnerships such as those with Ripple’s Metaco and IBM Cloud were designed to deliver seamless, secure services while aligning with pending French regulatory authorisations. 

Establishing a regulatory base in France itself demonstrates BCB’s preference for jurisdictions with clear frameworks, allowing the company to provide integrated payments and digital asset services safely while avoiding markets where legal uncertainty could create risk.

These examples show how a compliance-first philosophy can actively support growth and innovation, not just restrict it.

Compliance as a strategic advantage

Throughout this journey, regulatory compliance has never been a box-ticking exercise. Instead, it has shaped the company’s strategic decisions at every stage. 

The appointment of James Sullivan as Chief Risk and Compliance Officer highlights how governance and risk frameworks are embedded into the business, not treated as afterthoughts.

His approach is rooted in defining risk appetites early and embedding controls across operations, which has enabled BCB to avoid the pitfalls of the “move fast and break things” mindset.

As a result, compliance has enabled, rather than hindered, growth because it is used to inform where the company can safely expand, which products it can offer and how it engages with institutional clients.

“By embedding strong frameworks and fostering collaboration, firms can continue to attract and retain ever better clients, build investor and market confidence and scale sustainably,” he said.

Scaling with confidence

This regulatory-first philosophy has paid dividends in client trust and market differentiation. Institutional clients, in particular, value BCB’s steadfast approach to compliance and its transparent governance frameworks.

By demonstrating a commitment to security, controls and oversight, BCB has built credibility that extends beyond its technology. In a crowded market where many providers prioritise speed over certainty, this reputation for reliability is a key competitive advantage.

BCB’s story shows that scaling successfully does not require compromising on risk management or regulatory standards. From its founding vision to its measured expansion across Europe, the company illustrates how ambition can coexist with a conservative, compliance-driven mindset. 

For BCB, regulatory diligence is not merely a safeguard—it is a cornerstone of sustainable growth, long-term client trust, and enduring differentiation in the fast-evolving world of digital finance.