The crypto investment landscape in the UK just took a significant step forward as British investors get access to Bitcoin through regulated markets.
Summary
- BlackRock has launched its iShares Bitcoin ETP on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker IB1T.
- The FCA recently lifted its ban on crypto ETNs and sped up licensing for digital-asset firms.
- The launch expands BlackRock’s global crypto footprint and signals the UK’s shift toward regulated Bitcoin access.
According to an October 20 CoinDesk report, BlackRock has launched its iShares Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker IB1T. This product allows retail investors to gain regulated exposure to Bitcoin without needing to hold the cryptocurrency directly, according to BlackRock’s official iShares page.
The iShares Bitcoin ETP had already been available on European exchanges such as Xetra, Euronext Amsterdam, and Euronext Paris since March 2025. Its arrival in London now opens access for UK investors through one of the world’s leading stock exchanges.
BlackRock’s crypto product lineup has seen significant growth globally, managing over $13 trillion in assets. Its flagship iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) is the largest spot Bitcoin (BTC) ETF worldwide, with $85.5 billion in net assets as of this year, far surpassing competitors like Fidelity’s Bitcoin ETF.
The ETP is backed by Bitcoin held in secure cold storage, with custody handled by Coinbase. This setup offers investors a low-risk, cost-effective way to invest in Bitcoin, avoiding the challenges and risks involved in directly owning and storing crypto assets.
BlackRock’s entry comes amid the evolving regulatory landscape in the United Kingdom, as authorities signal open arms to pave the way for regulated crypto offerings to enter the market.
UK’s FCA makes pro-crypto regulatory moves
The UK Financial Conduct Authority has taken major recent steps to support regulated crypto products. Earlier this month, the FCA lifted its four-year ban on crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) for retail investors. This policy change now allows regulated UK exchanges to list crypto ETNs like Bitcoin and Ethereum for retail access for the first time since 2021.
Alongside the ETN ban reversal, the FCA has been accelerating crypto licensing approvals. Average application review times have shrunk from 17 months to around 5 months this year. The regulator has also published consultation papers proposing detailed rulebooks for crypto firms, aiming to bring them under oversight standards similar to traditional finance.
The FCA also recently put forward consultation papers outlining plans to regulate fund tokenisation through blockchain technology. These steps indicate a broad push towards integrating cryptoassets into mainstream financial services with regulatory frameworks.
The latest regulatory advancements have made the UK a more crypto-friendly market, encouraging the launch of new products such as BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP on the London Stock Exchange. The FCA’s evolving stance and faster licensing process underpin this progress, enabling increased institutional and retail crypto participation in the country.
