In a major step for digital assets, BlackRock has launched its first Bitcoin exchange-traded product (ETP) on the London Stock Exchange. The move follows the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) decision to lift its four-year ban on crypto-based exchange-traded products, signaling a new era of crypto acceptance in one of the world’s leading financial hubs.

BlackRock Debuts iShares Bitcoin ETP on LSE

According to the Financial Times, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) began trading on Monday on the London Stock Exchange. The new product allows investors to gain regulated Bitcoin exposure without directly holding the asset, marking a key milestone for crypto integration in traditional markets.

🚨JUST IN: BlackRock is reportedly planning to launch Bitcoin ETP in the UK in 2 days.🇬🇧

The US giant is expected to list its iShares #Bitcoin ETP on or after Oct 8, as the FCA lifts its retail ban. pic.twitter.com/ktRmNCcT7D

— Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) October 6, 2025

This is BlackRock’s first UK-listed Bitcoin product, adding to its growing presence in Europe following earlier ETP launches in Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Jane Sloan, BlackRock’s Head of Global Product Solutions for EMEA, said the listing offers UK investors “a safer and more transparent entry point” into crypto.

Trading activity kicked off strongly, with over 1,000 shares exchanged within the first hour. The launch closely follows the FCA’s reversal of its 2020 ban, which had restricted retail access to crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs). The new policy now permits approved institutions to list regulated crypto investment products.

Mark Aruliah, Head of Policy at Elliptic, called the shift a “smart and timely decision,” noting it would help keep UK investors within regulated boundaries rather than pushing them toward offshore exchanges. The UK’s move also aligns with its goal to remain globally competitive in financial innovation.

21Shares, Bitwise, and WisdomTree Follow Suit

Following BlackRock’s debut, other asset managers quickly joined the race. 21Shares rolled out four physically backed ETPs, ABTC, CBTC, AETH, and one featuring a low 0.10% fee, aimed at improving affordability and investor access. CEO Russell Barlow hailed it as “a milestone moment for UK retail investors.”

Bitwise also launched its Core Bitcoin ETP (BTC1) on the LSE, cutting fees to just 0.05% to attract mainstream investors. Meanwhile, WisdomTree unveiled its own physically backed Bitcoin and Ethereum products with fees between 0.15% and 0.35%. Alexis Marinof, WisdomTree’s Head of Europe, said the listings show “how far the market has matured.”

As the UK reopens to digital assets, regulators are also exploring deeper cooperation with the U.S. to align frameworks on stablecoins and crypto oversight, setting the stage for a stronger, more unified global crypto market.