Bitwise Launches Four Crypto ETPs for UK Retail Investors on London Stock Exchange

Bitwise Asset Management launched four crypto exchange-traded products on the London Stock Exchange on October 21, marking the first time UK retail investors gained access to the firm's crypto investment vehicles. The San Francisco-based digital asset manager made the products available following the Financial Conduct Authority's decision to lift restrictions on retail access to crypto ETPs referencing Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The four products include the Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP, the Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP, the Bitwise Physical Ethereum ETP, and the Bitwise Ethereum Staking ETP. The company reduced fees for its Core Bitcoin ETP to 0.05%, making it one of the lowest-cost Bitcoin investment products available to UK retail investors.

Bitwise Asset Management, founded in 2017, manages over $5 billion in crypto assets and operates as one of the largest crypto index fund managers globally. The firm previously offered these products exclusively to professional investors in Europe through its Dublin-based subsidiary.

The launch coincided with similar moves by other major asset managers. BlackRock, 21Shares, and WisdomTree also made their crypto ETPs available to UK retail investors on the same day, following the FCA's regulatory guidance that permits retail access only to Bitcoin and Ethereum-referenced products traded on recognized exchanges.

The FCA's decision represents a significant shift in UK crypto regulation. Previously, retail investors could only access crypto through direct purchases on exchanges or through complex investment structures. The regulator now allows retail access to crypto ETPs that meet specific criteria, including trading on recognized exchanges and referencing only Bitcoin or Ethereum.

The Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP trades under the ticker BTC1 with ISIN DE000A4AER62, while the Physical Bitcoin ETP uses ticker BTCE with ISIN DE000A27Z304. The Ethereum products provide exposure to the second-largest crypto by market capitalization, with the staking version offering additional yield through Ethereum's proof-of-stake mechanism. 

The timing aligns with renewed interest in crypto investments as Bitcoin approaches new price highs and institutional adoption continues expanding. Major asset managers have increasingly launched crypto products to meet growing demand from both institutional and retail investors seeking regulated exposure to digital assets.