BlackRock Launches BTC ETP on London Stock Exchange
Asset Manager Expands Crypto Offerings in the UK
BlackRock has launched a BTC-linked platform-traded product (ETP) in the United Kingdom later than regulators loosened restrictions on crypto investment vehicles. The iShares BTC ETP appeared on the London Stock platform on Monday, according to the asset manager’s website.
The product, reported by The Sunday Times, is structured as a BTC-linked security that lets investors purchase fractions of BTC (BTC) through units priced from about $11. The ETP tracks BTC’s market price while operating inside a regulated framework, allowing UK investors to gain exposure through conventional brokerage accounts rather than crypto platforms.
BlackRock said the product gives retail investors a way to access BTC’s performance within a structure governed by UK securities rules. It mirrors similar vehicles in the United States and Europe, where the asset manager’s iShares BTC ETF has gathered more than $85 billion in net assets, according to SoSoValue data.
Investor Takeaway
FCA Softens Its Crypto Stance
The launch follows the Financial Conduct Authority’s decision earlier this month to ease its restrictions on crypto-linked products. On Oct. 9, the regulator lifted a four-year ban on crypto platform-traded notes (ETNs), allowing institutional investors to purchase and trade these assets on FCA-approved UK platforms.
David Geale, the FCA’s executive director for payments and digital finance, said the market had “matured and become better understood” since retail access was restricted. Crypto ETNs, he added, now trade like other regulated securities, with underlying assets held by licensed custodians.
While the FCA has reopened the door to crypto-linked ETPs and ETNs, its ban on retail derivatives trading in digital assets remains. The regulator described these instruments as “high-risk investments” and said it would continue monitoring the market to assess whether further changes are warranted.
Regulators Eye Tokenization and Fund Innovation
The UK’s broader approach to digital finance has also shifted. On Oct. 14, the FCA said it would permit asset managers to use blockchain technology for fund tokenization, citing its potential to modernize fund administration and improve market efficiency. The move aligns with the government’s goal of positioning London as a hub for .
Industry participants say the combination of the ETP approval and tokenization initiative could strengthen the UK’s competitiveness against European financial centers such as Frankfurt and Zurich, where have already gained traction.
Investor Takeaway
Outlook for BTC Investment in the UK
BlackRock’s move comes as strengthens later than a volatile few years. BTC ETFs and ETPs in the U.S. and Europe have collectively drawn billions in inflows in 2025, with institutional players increasing allocations to digital assets under clearer rules. Analysts say the FCA’s recent policy shift could prompt other global managers to bring similar products to the UK market.
