DI-M01

DI-M01: Number of applications received into the FCA sandbox/innovation pathway by sector and innovation focus

2024/25 values

Total Application Numbers (2024/25 FY)

We received a total of 176 applications across our Innovation Services, including the Regulatory Sandbox, Innovation Pathways, and the Digital Sandbox.

  • 79 applications to the Innovation Pathways
  • 52 applications to the Regulatory Sandbox
  • 45 applications to the Digital Sandbox

Innovation Pathways

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Payments & Digital Assets20%
Cross-sector16%
Consumer Investments15%
Retail Lending13%

Regulatory Sandbox

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Payments & Digital Assets25%
Cross-sector21%
Consumer Investments13%
Retail Lending10%

Digital Sandbox

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Cross-sector53%
Payments & Digital Assets20%
Fund & Investment Management9%
Retail Lending9%

Applications by Technology

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning52%
Operations & Infrastructure42%
Open Banking & Finance solutions23%
Innovations using Distributed Ledger Technology, Digital Assets, and Blockchain18%

Source: FCA data

2023/24 values

Total Application Numbers (2023/24 FY)

146 for Regulatory Sandbox and Innovation Pathways.

Consisting of:

103 to the Innovation Pathways

43 to the Regulatory Sandbox

Applications by Sector

Across both services

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Payments & Digital Assets23%
Cross-sector21%
Consumer Investments18%
Wholesale Financial Markets13%

Innovation Pathways

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Consumer Investments21%
Cross-sector20%
Payments & Digital Assets17%
Consumer Finance13%

Regulatory Sandbox

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
Payments & Digital Assets35%
Cross-sector21%
Wholesale Financial Markets19%
Consumer Investments9%

Applications by technology

Top 4 Sectors% of Applications
DLT/Blockchain technology19%
Mobile application and web platforms18%
Artificial intelligence and machine learning17%
API and non-technology-driven innovation - both13%

Source: FCA data