IG Group, a UK-based online trading provider, announced the official launch of crypto trading for retail investors. This move is massive for the company as it becomes the first United Kingdom-listed company to provide direct spots trading to customers. 

The move also marks a significant step for the country which is trying to catch up on other global economies in digital assets regulations. With IG Group now allowing spots trading, UK citizens can have direct access into crypto via a locally-based service provider. 

IG Expands Crypto Offerings Beyond CFDs 

In the past, the IG Group only offered cryptocurrency trading through crypto contracts for differences (CFDs). This service allowed customers to speculate on price movements without actually having the cryptocurrencies. But now, the firm has officially launched direct spot trading to its clientele as reported by Bitcoin Magazine. 

https://twitter.com/BitcoinMagazine/status/1929478194668662875

Through the new service, investors can engage in buying, selling and holding a selection of digital assets. IG Group’s crypto offering for retail trading will span a total of 31 crypto assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), XRP and even popular memecoins like Bonk. 

Michael Healy, UK’s IG Group Managing Director, opined that this development represents a significant step for the firm and for the development of the UK crypto market. “This is a huge moment for IG and a major milestone in the UK’s crypto journey, with retail investors now able to buy, sell, and hold crypto assets with a grown-up business,” Healy told The Times. 

Uphold Powers IG Group’s Spot Trading Service

IG Group’s entry into spot crypto trading has been made possible through a partnership with Uphold, a US-based crypto platform regulated in both the UK and the US. Its infrastructure is matched with the IG trading platform and IG Invest app, so customers can easily manage both crypto trading accounts and stock accounts.

Through Uphold, IG will handle all transactions for clients and give immediate access to pricing which will make its services more user-friendly. The agreement points to a wider pattern where regulated financial firms join the crypto space to meet rising needs from retail clients. 

UK Focuses on Clear Crypto Regulations

The new service by IG Group comes at a time when the UK government is still working on creating a full set of regulations for crypto assets. In late May 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced the launch of public consultation into stablecoin and crypto custody. 

Earlier in May, the British government had also shared details of draft laws intended to protect crypto investors. These laws will offer clear oversight into digital assets with an aim of safeguarding investors from deceitful schemes in the digital world. 

The push for a clear regulatory framework confirms the UK’s determination to be a top destination for crypto and digital assets. A recent report by Gemini showed that there has been a significant increase in crypto use in the UK over the past year. The UK recorded a 24% surge in Year-over-Year (YoY) crypto ownership which is the second highest surge recorded across the globe. Only Singapore recorded more with 28%. 

IG Group Shifts Crypto Access for UK’s Retail Investors

IG’s move to offer crypto spot trading reflects a chance for UK investors to approach digital assets differently. At the start of 2021, the company shut down its retail crypto services in the UK after the FCA banned crypto derivatives temporarily. But the new offering marks IG Group’s comeback to the crypto market. But this time the platform is putting more emphasis on spot trading instead of derivatives.

With IG’s well-known status as a publicly traded company, this step may add more legitimacy and steadiness to the UK’s crypto industry. Retail investors in the UK can now buy and sell crypto alongside traditional investment products like stocks.