21Shares, Bitwise and WisdomTree have launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on the London Stock Exchange after the FCA lifted a four-year ban on retail investors.
21Shares, Bitwise and WisdomTree launch Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs in the UK
Three leading crypto asset managers — 21Shares, Bitwise and WisdomTree — have opened access to their Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs to UK retail investors.
This became possible after the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) officially lifted a four-year ban on the sale of cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) to retail clients.
A new phase for the UK crypto market
On Monday, 21Shares launched two physically backed products for Bitcoin and Ethereum on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The Ethereum ETP has a staking feature, and individual products have seen their fees reduced to 0.1%.
“Today’s launch is a historic step for the UK market. After years of exclusion, retail investors finally have access to regulated crypto products,” said 21Shares CEO Russell Barlow.
WisdomTree and Bitwise join the wave
WisdomTree has also listed its Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs with fees of 0.15% and 0.35%, respectively. “Access and transparency are the foundation of trust in the digital asset class,” said WisdomTree’s head of Europe, Alexis Marinoff.
Bitwise is preparing for its listing on Tuesday, announcing a fee reduction for its Core Bitcoin ETP to 0.05% for the first six months. “We are excited to provide our investors in Europe with access to leading Bitcoin and Ethereum products,” said Bradley Duke, head of Bitwise in Europe.
BlackRock is also in the game
In parallel, BlackRock launched its iShares Bitcoin ETP on the LSE. According to the head of the business, Jane Sloan, the move “opens up a safer and more regulated path to digital assets” for more than 4 million expected UK crypto investors by 2026.
FCA lifts four-year ban
Since January 2021, the FCA has banned the sale and marketing of crypto derivatives and ETNs to retail clients. Now, following the October decision, retail investors will be able to buy crypto ETPs through regular brokerage accounts and tax wrappers – ISAs and SIPPs.
The FCA emphasizes that this is part of a phased approach to creating a “global crypto hub” focused on consumer safety and the stability of the financial system.
What’s next
By 2026, the FCA plans to introduce a full suite of cryptocurrency regulations covering staking, stablecoins, trading, lending and asset custody.
London’s new move aligns it with the US, Canada, Hong Kong and EU markets — signaling that Britain is serious about getting back into the global digital asset game.
Related: Q4 for crypto: Laws, stablecoins and ETPs could lift the market
