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 Assets | 20% |
| Cross-sector | 16% |
| Consumer Investments | 15% |
| Retail Lending | 13% |
Regulatory Sandbox
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| Payments & Digital Assets | 25% |
| Cross-sector | 21% |
| Consumer Investments | 13% |
| Retail Lending | 10% |
Digital Sandbox
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| Cross-sector | 53% |
| Payments & Digital Assets | 20% |
| Fund & Investment Management | 9% |
| Retail Lending | 9% |
Applications by Technology
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning | 52% |
| Operations & Infrastructure | 42% |
| Open Banking & Finance solutions | 23% |
| Innovations using Distributed Ledger Technology, Digital Assets, and Blockchain | 18% |
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 Assets | 23% |
| Cross-sector | 21% |
| Consumer Investments | 18% |
| Wholesale Financial Markets | 13% |
Innovation Pathways
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| Consumer Investments | 21% |
| Cross-sector | 20% |
| Payments & Digital Assets | 17% |
| Consumer Finance | 13% |
Regulatory Sandbox
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| Payments & Digital Assets | 35% |
| Cross-sector | 21% |
| Wholesale Financial Markets | 19% |
| Consumer Investments | 9% |
Applications by technology
| Top 4 Sectors | % of Applications |
|---|---|
| DLT/Blockchain technology | 19% |
| Mobile application and web platforms | 18% |
| Artificial intelligence and machine learning | 17% |
| API and non-technology-driven innovation - both | 13% |
Source: FCA data