COOPERATION ARRANGEMENT 

FSA FINANCIAL 

CONDUCT 

AUTHORITY 

United States Commodity Futures Trading

Commission 

United Kingdom Financial Conduct

Authority 

COOPERATION AND THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION 

ON FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION 

February 19, 2018 
COOPERATION ARRANGEMENT ON FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION 

In view of emerging technology in financial markets and services, the United States Commodity 

Futures Trading Commission and the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (jointly, the 

"Authorities") have reached this cooperation arrangement ("Arrangement") in order to enhance 

mutual understanding, identify market developments and trends, facilitate innovation with 

respect to financial technology ("FinTech"), and foster the use of technology for more effective 

and efficient regulation and oversight of financial markets and participants ("RegTech"). The 

Authorities express, through this Arrangement, their willingness to cooperate and share 

information in the interest of fulfilling their respective regulatory mandates and advancing the 

understanding, utilization, and advancement of FinTech and RegTech in the United States and 

the United Kingdom. 

ARTICLE ONE: DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Arrangement: 

1. "Authority" means: 

a. In the United States, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"); and 

b. In the United Kingdom, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"). 

2. "Criteria for Referral" means the criteria of a Referring Authority that an Innovator Business 

is required to meet before the Referring Authority will refer the Innovator Business to a 

Receiving Authority. 

3. "Requesting Authority" means an Authority making a request under this Arrangement. 

4. "Requested Authority" means the Authority to whom a request is made under this 

Arrangement. 

5. "Innovation Function" means: 

a. "LabCFTC" for the CFTC; and 

b. "Innovate" for the FCA. 

6. "Innovator Business" means an entity or individual that has been offered, or that would 

qualify for, support as described in Paragraph 19 from an Authority through its Innovation 

Function. 

7. "Referring Authority" means the Authority that is referring an Innovator Business to the 

Receiving Authority. 

8. "Receiving Authority" means the Authority that is receiving an Innovator Business referral 

or information relating to that referral. 
9. "Authorization" means the process of licensing, registering, approving, or otherwise making 

subject to the regulatory requirements of an Authority. 

ARTICLE TWO: GENERAL PROVISIONS 

10.The purpose of this Arrangement is to provide a framework for cooperation, information 

sharing, and referrals between the Authorities in connection with their Innovation Functions. 

The Authorities intend to provide the fullest possible mutual assistance to each another 

within the terms of this Arrangement. 

11.This Arrangement should be interpreted and implemented in a manner that is permitted by, 

and consistent with, the legal requirements applicable to either Authority. This Arrangement 

is not intended to limit or condition the discretion of an Authority in any way in the discharge 

of its regulatory responsibilities or to prejudice the individual responsibilities or autonomy of 

either Authority. 

12.This Arrangement does not create any legally binding obligations, confer any rights, or 

supersede domestic laws or regulations. This Arrangement does not confer upon any person 

the right or ability directly or indirectly to obtain, suppress, or exclude any information or to 

challenge the execution of a request for information under this Arrangement. 

13.This Arrangement is intended to complement but does not alter the terms and conditions of 

existing arrangements, including: 

a. The Memorandum of Understanding on Exchange of Information between the United 

States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and, as successor in interest, the 

FCA in Matters Relating to Securities and between the CFTC and, as successor in 

interest, the FCA in Matters Relating to Futures (September 23, 1986); 

b. The Financial Information Sharing Memorandum of Understanding between the CFTC 

and U.S. self-regulatory organizations and, as successor in interest, the FCA and U.K. 

self-regulatory organizations (September 1, 1988) and Addendum (May 15, 1989); 

c. The Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Assistance and the Exchange of 

Information between the SEC and CFTC and, as successors in interest, the FCA and 

Bank of England ("BOB") (September 25, 1991), amended to include HM Treasury (May 

9, 1994); 

d. The Memorandum of Understanding between the SEC and CFTC and, as successors in 

interest, the FCA and BOB (October 28, 1997); 

e. The Declaration on Cooperation and Supervision of International Futures Markets and 

Clearing Organizations (as amended March 1998), to which the CFTC and, as successor 

in interest, FCA are signatories; 

f. The Arrangement on Warehouse Information between the CFTC and, as successors in 

interest, the FCA and BOB (May 17, 2000); 

g. The Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Consultation, Cooperation and the 

2 
Exchange of Information Related to Market Oversight between the CFTC and, as 

successors in interest, the FCA and BOE (November 17, 2006); 

h. The IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Consultation and 

Cooperation and the Exchange of Information (revised May 2012) ("IOSCO MMOU"), 

to which the Authorities are signatories, which covers primarily information sharing in 

the context of enforcement matters; 

i. The Mo U concerning consultation, cooperation and the exchange of information related 

to the supervision of covered entities in the alternative investment fund industry between 

the CFTC and the FCA (July 22, 2013); 

The Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation and the Exchange of 

Information in the Context of Supervising Covered Firms between the CFTC and the 

FCA (October 6, 2016); and 

k. The LCH Ltd Framework Arrangement among Crisis Management Group Members to 

which the Authorities are signatories (September 6, 2017). 

14. To facilitate cooperation under this Arrangement, the Authorities hereby designate contact 

persons as set forth in Appendix A, which may be amended from time to time by an 

Authority transmitting revised contact information in writing to the other Authority. 

ARTICLE THREE: COOPERATION FRAMEWORK

15.The framework for cooperation centers on a mechanism for information sharing, referrals, 

and learning from proofs of concept, trials, or innovation competitions that will enable the 

Authorities to share information on FinTech and RegTech and to refer Innovator Businesses 

to each other. 

16. The Authorities have established Innovation Functions; have a demonstrated commitment to 

the advancement of FinTech and/or RegTech; anticipate completing proofs of concept, trials, 

or prize competitions intended to stimulate innovation; have received inquiries from 

Innovator Businesses that currently operate or seek to operate in the United States and the 

United Kingdom; and have a sustained relationship of mutual cooperation and information 

sharing. 

Description of Innovation Functions

17.LabCFTC is a CFTC initiative to facilitate FinTech innovation while fostering open, 

transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets to serve the public interest. The 

CFTC established LabCFTC to encourage business innovators, identify market-enhancing 

FinTech, and increase the CFTC's understanding of RegTech that may enable the CFTC to 

perform its mission in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. 

18.The FCA established "Innovate" with the objective of encouraging innovation in financial 

services in the interests of consumers by supporting innovator businesses with a range of 

services. This is closely tied to the FCA's objective of promoting effective competition in 

3 
the interest of consumers. The FCA's work to promote innovation in financial services is led 

by the Innovate Department. 

Support for Innovator Businesses 

19. The support offered by the Authorities to Innovator Businesses through their Innovation 

Functions may include, but is not limited to: 

a. A contact person(s) for each Innovator Business; 

b. Assistance to an Innovator Business regarding understanding the regulatory framework in 

the relevant Authority's jurisdiction and the framework's potential application to the 

Innovator Business; 

c. Assistance during the pre-Authorization application phase by discussing the application 

process and any regulatory issues that the Innovator Business has identified; 

d. Support during the Authorization process, including the allocation of staff that are 

knowledgeable about financial innovation in their respective markets to provide guidance 

to the Innovator Business with respect to its Authorization application; and 

e. Assistance with inquiries that identify ambiguity in existing rules or regulations that may 

inhibit beneficial innovation. 

Information Sharing

20. The Authorities undertake, subject to applicable domestic laws and regulations, to share 

information related to FinTech or RegTech, where appropriate. Such information may 

include, but is not limited to: 

a. Information on Innovator Businesses that have been referred to a Receiving Authority for 

support through its Innovation Function by a Referring Authority (including the nature of 

the support to the Innovator Business by the Referring Authority pursuant to Paragraph 

19); 

b. Material developments and changes related to an Authority's criteria and process for 

referring an Innovator Business. 

c. Emerging trends and developments pertaining to FinTech and RegTech; 

d. Innovations in FinTech and regulatory issues pertaining to such innovations; 

e. Best practices by each Authority in engaging with FinTech and RegTech innovation; and 

f. Activities of domestic and international organizations or bodies that promote innovation 

in FinTech and RegTech. 

21. Requests, referrals, responsive information, and any subsequent communication among 

Authorities may be transmitted electronically. Any electronic transmission should use means 

that are appropriately secure in light of the confidentiality of the information being 

transmitted. 

4 
Requests for Information

22. To the extent possible, a request for information should be made in writing and addressed to 

the relevant contact person(s) identified in Appendix A. The Authorities anticipate that such 

requests will be made in a manner that is consistent with the goal of minimizing 

administrative burdens. 

23. A request generally should specify the following: 

a. The information sought by the Requesting Authority; 

b. A general description of the matter that is the subject of the request; 

c. The purpose for which the information is sought; and 

d. The desired time period for reply and, where appropriate, the urgency thereof. 

Referral Mechanism 

24. The Authorities, through their Innovation Functions, will refer to each other Innovator 

Businesses that seek to operate in or have questions about operating in the other Authority's 

jurisdiction. 

25. Information about an Innovator Business included by a Referring Authority in a referral to a 

Receiving Authority should be sent to that Receiving Authority only if the Innovator 

Business consents to such disclosure of the information. 

26. Referrals should include information demonstrating that the Innovator Business seeking to 

operate in the Receiving Authority's jurisdiction meets, or would meet, the Referring 

Authority's Criteria for Referral. 

27. Each Authority should notify the other Authority of any material changes to its Criteria for 

Referral. 

28. Following a referral, the Receiving Authority's Innovation Function should offer support to 

the Innovator Business in accordance with Paragraph 19 above. 

29. The Referring Authority acknowledges that an Innovator Business that receives support from 

the Receiving Authority's Innovation Function may or may not ultimately meet the 

requirements for Authorization and that, in providing assistance through the Innovation 

Function, the Receiving Authority is not expressing an opinion about whether an Innovator 

Business ultimately will meet the requirements for such Authorization. 

Innovation Learning 

30. The Authorities intend to invite each other to observe in proofs of concept, trials, or 

innovation competitions supported by sandboxes, accelerators, launchpads, or similar 

endeavors related to FinTech and RegTech organized by their Innovation Functions. 

5 
Periodic Meetings

31. Representatives of the Authorities intend to meet periodically, as appropriate, to update each 

other on FinTech and RegTech developments and trends and to discuss issues of common 

interest. Such meetings may be conducted by conference call or on a face-to-face basis, as 

appropriate. 

ARTICLE FOUR: PERMISSIBLE USES OF INFORMATION 

32. A Requesting or Receiving Authority may use non-public information obtained under this 

Arrangement solely for the purposes for which the information was provided. 

33. Before using non-public information furnished under this Arrangement for any purpose other 

than that stated in Paragraph 32, the Requesting or Receiving Authority first must consult 

with, and obtain the written consent of, the Requested or Referring Authority for the intended 

use. If consent is denied, the Authorities will consult to discuss the reasons for withholding 

approval of such use and the circumstances, if any, under which the intended use might be 

allowed. 

34. The restrictions in this Arrangement do not apply to information obtained by an Authority 

directly from an Innovator Business. 

ARTICLE FIVE: CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION 

35. Except as provided in Paragraphs 36 and 37, each Authority will keep confidential, to the 

extent permitted by law, non-public information shared under this Arrangement including 

under Paragraph 30, requests and referrals made under this Arrangement, the contents of 

such requests and referrals, and any other matters arising under this Arrangement. 

36. The Requesting or Receiving Authority must obtain the prior written consent of the 

Requested or Referring Authority before sharing non-public information received under this 

Arrangement with any non-signatory to this Arrangement. The Requested or Referring 

Authority will take into account the level of urgency of the request and respond in a timely 

manner. If consent is denied, the Authorities will consult to discuss the reasons for 

withholding approval of such disclosure and the circumstances, if any, under which the 

intended disclosure might be allowed. 

37. To the extent possible, the Requesting or Receiving Authority intends to notify the Requested 

or Referring Authority of any legally enforceable demand for non-public information 

furnished under this Arrangement. When complying with the demand, the Requesting or 

Receiving Authority intends to assert all appropriate legal exemptions or privileges with 

respect to such information as may be available. 

6 
38. The Authorities intend that the sharing or disclosure of non-public information, including 

deliberative and consultative materials, such as written analysis, opinions, or 

recommendations relating to non-public information that is prepared by or on behalf of an 

Authority, pursuant to the terms of this Arrangement, will not constitute a waiver of privilege 

or confidentiality of such non-public information. 

ARTICLE SIX: AMENDMENTS 

39. The Authorities periodically will review the operation of this Arrangement and update its 

terms as required. The Authorities acknowledge that review may be required if there is a 

material change to the support offered by a Receiving Authority's Innovation Function to an 

Innovator Business referred by a Referring Authority. 

40. This Arrangement may be amended with the. written consent of the Authorities referred to in 

Paragraph 1. 

ARTICLE SEVEN: EXECUTION OF ARRANGEMENT

41. Cooperation in accordance with this Arrangement will become effective on the date this 

Arrangement is signed by the Authorities. 

ARTICLE EIGHT: TERMINATION 

42. Cooperation in accordance with this Arrangement will continue until the expiration of 30 

days after an Authority gives written notice to the other Authority of its intention to terminate 

the Arrangement. If an Authority gives such notice, the parties will consult concerning the 

disposition of any pending requests or referrals. If an agreement cannot be reached through 

consultation, cooperation will continue with respect to all requests and referrals that were 

made under the Arrangement before the expiration of the 30-day period until all requests are 

fulfilled and all referrals are processed or until the Requesting Authority withdraws such 

request(s) and the Referring Authority withdraws such referral(s). In the event of termination 

of this Arrangement, information obtained under this Arrangement will continue to be treated 

in the manner prescribed under Articles Four and Five. 

7 
This Arrangement is executed in duplicate, this 193h day of F ebr 1) cc 2018. 

J. stopher Gianc o 

C airman 

U.S. Commodit utures Trading Commission 

Andrew Bailey 

Chief Executive 

Financial Conduct Authority 

8 
APPENDIX A — CONTACT PERSONS 

CFTC 

Director, LabCFTC 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission 

1155 21stStreet, N.W. 

Washington, DC 20581 

United States of America 

Phone: +1-202-418-5625 

Email: LabCFTC@cftc.gov 

FCA

Head of Department, Innovate 

Financial Conduct Authority 

25 The North Colonnade 

Canary Wharf 

London E14 5H5 

United Kingdom 

Phone: +44-20-7066-4488 

Email: innovationhub@fca.org.uk 

9