The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has officially approved 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree to open retail investment channels for their Bitcoin and Ethereum Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs) — a breakthrough moment for the country’s digital asset market.
This approval allows UK retail investors, for the first time, to gain regulated exposure to Bitcoin and Ethereum through publicly listed ETPs. Until now, these products were restricted to professional investors, limiting participation in the crypto market to a narrow group. The new decision signals a clear shift in regulatory stance, showing that the UK is ready to merge traditional market infrastructure with blockchain-based investment products.
With this green light, 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree can now list their crypto ETPs on UK-regulated exchanges, allowing investors to trade these instruments just like equities or ETFs. It’s a move designed to give the broader public safe, compliant access to crypto exposure while maintaining the same investor protections that apply to traditional assets.
All three issuers are leading players in the global digital asset management space. They already operate similar Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs across Europe — in Switzerland, Germany, and the Nordic markets — where institutional demand for transparent, exchange-listed crypto vehicles has grown rapidly since 2021. The FCA’s approval effectively connects the UK’s robust retail investor base with the same class of products already popular in Europe.
Industry experts say this marks a turning point for digital finance in the UK. The FCA’s willingness to open regulated crypto investment channels reflects confidence in the maturity and liquidity of Bitcoin and Ethereum markets. It also indicates the regulator’s effort to balance investor protection with innovation, aligning the UK more closely with global financial centers embracing tokenized assets.
Market sentiment has responded positively, with analysts suggesting that regulated crypto exposure could drive new inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum, particularly as global investors look for safer, institution-backed channels. The move reinforces the UK’s ambition to establish itself as a leading hub for digital asset regulation and investment, blending innovation with oversight in one of the world’s most influential financial jurisdictions.