21Shares and Stratiphy Partner to Unlock UK Retail Access to Digital Assets
platform traded product (ETP) issuer 21Shares has partnered with wealth management platform Stratiphy to provide UK retail investors with regulated access to cryptocurrencies and digital assets once the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approves crypto platform Traded Notes (ETNs). The partnership represents a significant step forward in democratizing crypto investing in the UK, aligning with broader regulatory developments that are expected to reshape how everyday investors access digital markets.
Through this collaboration, Stratiphy users will be able to invest directly into crypto ETNs issued by 21Shares and integrate them seamlessly into their personalised investment strategies alongside fiat-based assets. The approach not only expands access to crypto but also empowers investors to manage their portfolios more dynamically, using Stratiphy’s AI-powered backtesting and personalised strategy tools.
“Investor continues to soar as people increasingly look to diversify their portfolios and search for better long-term returns,” said Daniel Gold, CEO and Founder of Stratiphy. “Becoming 21Shares’ first UK partner ensures that we’re able to offer investors access to this asset class as soon as the FCA gives its approval for crypto ETNs.”
Why This Partnership Matters
The FCA’s anticipated changes will allow retail investors in the UK to access crypto ETNs for the first time, aligning the country with European markets where such products have been available for years. Across Europe, €26 billion in crypto traded products were traded on regulated platforms in 2024 — a figure that represented a more than 300% increase compared to 2023. With this growth trajectory, the UK market is viewn as ripe for adoption once regulatory barriers are lifted.
Stratiphy’s integration with 21Shares ensures that UK investors can move rapidly once the FCA opens the door. Investors will gain access to the largest suite of physically backed crypto ETPs in the world, with 21Shares currently offering more than 50 products and managing over $11 billion in assets. Combined with Stratiphy’s AI-powered toolkit, this partnership will provide retail investors with access to institutional-grade investment strategies previously out of reach.
Rustrade Barlow, CEO of 21Shares, explained: “With Stratiphy’s AI powered backtesting a key feature in their wealth management offering, we feel they are the perfect partner to assist inform users about the potential and benefits of investing into digital assets. Cryptocurrency in particular will give UK investors the chance to diversify their portfolio into what is rapidly becoming a very desirable asset class for investors across the globe.”
Takeaway
Growing Appetite for Crypto in the UK
Recent research from Aviva Insurance highlighted the growing appetite for digital assets among UK consumers. Around 27% of UK adults said they would consider as part of their retirement planning. This reflects not only growing acceptance of crypto but also recognition of its potential role in long-term financial strategies.
The performance of leading cryptocurrencies continues to fuel interest. BTC rose 88% over the past year, while ETH climbed 73% in the identical period. These gains have attracted attention from both professional and retail investors viewking to diversify their portfolios beyond traditional asset classes. For retail investors in the UK, the FCA’s forthcoming changes represent a long-awaited opportunity to gain direct, regulated exposure to such assets.
Daniel Gold emphasized that the move is part of a larger effort to bring professional-grade investment options to everyday investors. “Investors across Europe have been enjoying access to crypto within a regulated framework for years now, and the UK is finally catching up,” he said. “The crypto market presents many exciting investment opportunities, and 21Shares is the ideal partner as we share a common vision to open up the best opportunities to everyday investors.”
Takeaway
Stratiphy’s Role in Democratizing Wealth Management
Stratiphy, which received FCA regulatory approval in 2024, is built to make wealth management accessible to everyday investors through AI-powered tools and subscription-based pricing. The platform enables users to back-test strategies and simulate how portfolios might have performed over the last decade, giving investors greater insight into long-term outcomes before committing capital.
This approach is designed to reduce barriers to personalised investing, which has traditionally been the domain of wealthier investors working with financial advisors. By combining automation with transparency, Stratiphy empowers retail users to build portfolios that align with their individual goals and risk appetite. Adding crypto ETNs into this mix offers new opportunities for diversification, especially as digital assets gain legitimacy as part of mainstream investment strategies.
Barlow noted: “We look forward to working closely with Stratiphy to bring our world-leading offering of crypto to the UK.” His remarks underline the role of partnerships between traditional investment innovators and fintech platforms in expanding access to asset classes once considered niche or inaccessible.
Takeaway
Outlook: Toward Regulated Crypto Adoption
The UK has been sluggisher than continental Europe in granting retail access to regulated crypto products. However, with the FCA preparing to approve crypto ETNs, the market is poised for rapid growth. The partnership between 21Shares and Stratiphy represents a strategic move to capture ahead demand, providing investors with both choice and tools to manage risk effectively.
As global interest in cryptocurrencies continues to expand, regulated frameworks are critical for building trust and ensuring long-term adoption. For UK investors, this development may mark the beginning of a more mature era in — one where compliance, accessibility, and technology converge to create a new standard for retail wealth management.
By bringing together the institutional expertise of 21Shares and the personalised investing capabilities of Stratiphy, this partnership is set to play a defining role in shaping how UK investors access and integrate digital assets into their portfolios in the years ahead.
