UK retail investors can now buy Bitcoin and Ethereum through exchange-traded products (ETPs) after a regulatory change. 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree listed their crypto ETPs on the London Stock Exchange, opening them to everyday investors for the first time.
The move comes just 12 days after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lifted its four-year ban on retail crypto exchange-traded notes, expanding access across the country. Besides increasing availability, these ETPs allow retail users to buy crypto through familiar, regulated channels without handling digital wallets directly.
21Shares introduced two physically backed ETPs for each cryptocurrency on Monday, offering Ethereum staking features and reduced fees of 0.1% on select products. CEO Russell Barlow said, “Today’s launch represents a landmark step for the UK market and for everyday investors who, for years, have been excluded from regulated crypto products.”
Meanwhile, WisdomTree listed its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs with fees of 0.15% and 0.35%, respectively, echoing its prior institutional launches. Bitwise also joined, lowering its Core Bitcoin ETP fee to 0.05% for six months. BlackRock also listed its iShares Bitcoin ETP, showing that traditional investors are increasingly accepting Bitcoin and other digital assets.
Phased regulation and market growth
The FCA now lets everyday investors buy crypto ETPs using regular brokerage accounts, ISAs, and SIPPs. Broader crypto derivatives are still off-limits, keeping investors protected. The UK plans to grow as a global crypto hub while staying financially stable.
Further, the UK is working on new rules for stablecoins, lending, staking, custody, and crypto trading, expected by 2026. Meanwhile, HMRC has sent 65,000 warning letters to investors suspected of underreporting or avoiding crypto taxes, more than twice last year.
The current update lets UK investors safely access Bitcoin and Ethereum through regulated platforms. With lower fees and wider availability, more people can join the crypto market confidently while staying protected.
Also Read: BlackRock’s Bitcoin ETP Now Live on London Stock Exchange
