After approval from the UK FCA, 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree have opened retail investment channels for Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs.

Odaily News 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree have opened up Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) to UK retail investors for the first time after receiving approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This move comes just 12 days after the FCA formally lifted a four-year retail ban on crypto ETNs. 21Shares has launched two physically-backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETP products on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), with the Ethereum ETP including a staking yield feature and a low fee rate of 0.1% for some products. WisdomTree has also launched its physically-backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs, with fees of 0.15% and 0.35% respectively; Bitwise will launch similar products on Tuesday and will reduce its Core Bitcoin ETP fee to 0.05% in the first six months. Additionally, BlackRock has also launched its iShares Bitcoin ETP on the LSE. This move by the FCA means that UK retail investors can purchase crypto ETPs through regulated brokers and investment platforms, further aligning the UK market with regions such as the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and the EU. The regulatory body expects to complete a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework covering stablecoins, trading platforms, lending, staking, and custody by 2026. (The Block)