UK Retail Investors Gain Access to Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs

TheCryptoTimesPublished on 2025-10-20Last updated on 2025-10-20

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

Mobile Only Image

Related Reads

Pope Issues First AI Encyclical: 40,000 Words, 10 Key Points, Clarifying AI Anxiety

Pope Leo XIV's historic encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," released in May 2026, marks the Catholic Church's first major document addressing artificial intelligence. The 40,000-word text moves beyond theological abstraction to confront practical AI anxieties affecting society. It argues that AI is no longer a mere tool but an embedded environment influencing daily decisions in areas like employment, healthcare, justice, and information, often without users' awareness. The encyclical presents ten core concerns. It highlights that the central issue isn't just regulation, but who holds the underlying *power*—control over data, compute, and platforms—often concentrated in private entities. It warns that even developers cannot fully explain AI systems, creating accountability gaps. While AI can simulate human interaction and creativity, it cautions against treating it as a moral agent capable of bearing true responsibility or forming genuine relationships. Key risks identified include AI's role in opaque decision-making for jobs or welfare, the amplification of persuasive disinformation, and the potential for education to focus on tool use over critical thinking. The document stresses that work has value beyond efficiency, and AI should enhance human capabilities, not merely replace roles. It firmly states that irreversible decisions, especially involving life and death, must remain under human judgment. Ultimately, the encyclical frames AI's challenge as anthropological, not just technological. As AI simulates uniquely human capacities like judgment and creation, it forces a re-examination of what makes human action meaningful: our capacity for responsibility, vulnerability, and bearing real consequences. The Pope concludes that technology is never neutral; its development and deployment are shaped by human values and choices, making an inclusive, ethically grounded dialogue essential for its future.

marsbit8m ago

Pope Issues First AI Encyclical: 40,000 Words, 10 Key Points, Clarifying AI Anxiety

marsbit8m ago

Major Bitcoin Players Drop Over A Billion In Sell-Offs While Euphoria Rocks Retail

Major Bitcoin holders engaged in significant sell-offs while retail sentiment remained bullish. BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) saw over $1 billion in outflows across consecutive trading days, with its total holdings dropping from a peak near $75.5 billion in mid-May to below $67 billion by May 26. Simultaneously, a Satoshi-era miner moved 2,650 BTC (worth ~$203 million) to over-the-counter desks. Despite this substantial selling pressure from large wallets, Bitcoin's price held above $76,000, supported by apparent retail demand and "dip-buying" sentiment on social media, highlighting a current market divide between institutional actions and retail investor behavior.

bitcoinist2h ago

Major Bitcoin Players Drop Over A Billion In Sell-Offs While Euphoria Rocks Retail

bitcoinist2h ago

Bitcoin Vs. The S&P: How The Stock Market Predicts The BTC Bottom Before the Rally

Analyst Chain Mind correlates Bitcoin's bottom with the S&P 500's performance, noting BTC has historically not bottomed before the stock market. With the S&P 500 still reaching new all-time highs without a significant retrace, Chain Mind argues Bitcoin's final low is likely not yet in. He suggests the S&P is showing classic topping signals, implying a market dump is imminent, which would precede a BTC bottom. Further analysis points to Bitcoin potentially forming a Head-and-Shoulders topping pattern on charts. Analyst Colin notes a break below the pattern's neckline could target $65,000 or lower. Chain Mind also observes a weekly Head-and-Shoulders, expecting a dump to mark a final bottom around $50,000. Currently, Bitcoin trades around $75,500, down over 24 hours.

bitcoinist5h ago

Bitcoin Vs. The S&P: How The Stock Market Predicts The BTC Bottom Before the Rally

bitcoinist5h ago

Mystery Bitcoin Whale Dumps $1.3B In BlackRock’s IBIT As Market Barely Blinks

An unidentified entity sold approximately $1.3 billion worth of shares in BlackRock's spot Bitcoin ETF, IBIT, in a large dark pool block trade on Tuesday morning. ETF analysts, including Galaxy's Alex Thorn and Bloomberg's Eric Balchunas, confirmed the unprecedented 29-million-share transaction. Notably, the market absorbed the massive sale with minimal price disruption to IBIT. This sale occurs amid a broader trend of significant outflows from US spot Bitcoin ETFs. Recent weeks have seen over $2.5 billion in net outflows, with IBIT itself accounting for $1.008 billion in outflows during the May 18–22 period. Analysts suggest the sustained selling pressure, despite the market's resilience, may indicate institutional skittishness in a rising inflation and interest rate environment. At the time of reporting, Bitcoin was trading around $75,730.

bitcoinist7h ago

Mystery Bitcoin Whale Dumps $1.3B In BlackRock’s IBIT As Market Barely Blinks

bitcoinist7h ago

Retail Investors' 'Lead Brother' Serenity vs. Newly Minted Stock God Leopold: How Are the Two Top Hunters Mining AI's 'Physical Limits'?

The article profiles two prominent figures, Serenity and Leopold Aschenbrenner, who are gaining attention for their unconventional investment strategies focused on the physical constraints of the AI boom, moving beyond mainstream software narratives. Serenity, an anonymous online trader, advocates a "shiso leaf" theory. He targets small-cap companies with monopolies on critical, overlooked components in the AI hardware supply chain, such as specific semiconductor materials. His deep, technical analysis of bottlenecks in areas like co-packaged optics (CPO) has reportedly yielded massive returns, though his anonymity and focus on illiquid micro-cap stocks pose significant risks for followers. Leopold Aschenbrenner, a former OpenAI researcher, founded a multi-billion dollar hedge fund. His macro thesis argues that physical infrastructure—power grids, land, data centers—is the true bottleneck for AI growth, lagging far behind chip production. Consequently, his fund employs an infrastructure arbitrage strategy: heavily investing in storage and compute infrastructure companies while placing massive bearish bets (put options) against major semiconductor stocks, betting their valuations will correct as physical constraints become apparent. While their methods differ—Serenity drills into microscopic supply chain details, while Leopold takes a macroscopic, infrastructure-focused view—both share a core belief: the real power and investment alpha in the AI era lie in controlling scarce physical resources, not just software. The article concludes by noting the inherent risks in both approaches, such as liquidity issues for micro-caps and timing risks for macro bets, but suggests they signal a broader market re-evaluation of AI's foundational assets.

marsbit9h ago

Retail Investors' 'Lead Brother' Serenity vs. Newly Minted Stock God Leopold: How Are the Two Top Hunters Mining AI's 'Physical Limits'?

marsbit9h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片

Top Questions