What happened?
The FCA approved WisdomTree’s prospectus so its London-listed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs can be sold to UK retail investors. From the week of 20 October the two ETPs will be available via UK-regulated investment platforms after being limited to professional investors since their May 2024 listings. The decision follows the regulator lifting its long-standing ban on retail crypto ETPs and marks a clear regulatory shift toward mainstream retail access.
Who does this affect?
This affects UK retail investors who will now be able to buy Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure through familiar brokerages and platforms. It also affects banks, investment platforms, and financial advisers that can add these regulated, physically backed ETPs to customer offerings. Meanwhile WisdomTree’s rivals and institutional players may feel pressure to roll out competitive products, changing how both retail and institutional capital flows into crypto.
Why does this matter?
Broader retail access to regulated, low-cost ETPs could drive significant inflows into Bitcoin and Ethereum and increase market liquidity. WisdomTree’s low fees and established scale make these products attractive, which could support asset prices and push more investors to treat crypto as a mainstream allocation. Overall this strengthens the UK’s position in digital finance and may accelerate product launches and ETF adoption, adding fuel to the already rapid growth of the ETF industry.