UK FCA Approves 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree to Launch Crypto ETPs for Retail Investors

Key TakeawaysThe UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs to retail investors.The move comes 12 days after the FCA lifted its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs).21Shares and WisdomTree have already listed their products on the London Stock Exchange, while Bitwise will follow on Tuesday.The approval aligns the UK market with other major jurisdictions, including the US, EU, Hong Kong, and Canada.FCA Opens Crypto ETP Market to UK Retail InvestorsThe UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved 21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree to open Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) for retail investors, marking a major shift in the country’s crypto investment landscape.The decision comes just 12 days after the FCA lifted its long-standing ban on crypto ETNs, allowing broader retail participation in regulated digital asset investment products.21Shares and WisdomTree Lead London Listings21Shares has listed two physically backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) — its first offerings accessible to UK retail investors.The Ethereum ETP includes a staking yield feature and carries a management fee of 0.1%. Meanwhile, WisdomTree has also launched Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs, charging 0.15% and 0.35%, respectively.Bitwise will launch its Core Bitcoin ETP on Tuesday, offering a promotional 0.05% fee for the first six months, before reverting to its standard rate.BlackRock Joins with iShares Bitcoin ETPIn addition to these issuers, BlackRock recently launched its iShares Bitcoin ETP on the London Stock Exchange, further signaling growing institutional momentum for crypto investment products in the UK.The FCA’s latest approval aligns the UK with global financial centers such as the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and the European Union, where crypto ETPs are already accessible to retail traders.Regulatory OutlookThe FCA said it expects to finalize a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework by 2026, which will cover ETPs, custody rules, and investor protection standards.Analysts see the move as a turning point for the UK, bringing it closer to becoming a competitive crypto-financial hub.