According to a report by CoinDesk on October 20, BlackRock launched the iShares Bitcoin ETP on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol IB1T. This product allows individual investors to gain structured exposure to Bitcoin without having to own it directly, according to BlackRock's official iShares page.

The iShares Bitcoin ETP has already been available on European exchanges such as Xetra, Euronext Amsterdam, and Euronext Paris since March 2025. Its arrival in London now opens access to UK investors through one of the world's leading exchanges.

BlackRock's suite of cryptocurrency products has seen significant growth globally, managing more than $13 trillion in assets. Its flagship fund, iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), is the largest Bitcoin spot exchange-traded fund.
Bitcoin
3.08%
Bitcoin ETF worldwide, with net assets of $85.5 billion as of this year, significantly outpacing competitors such as Fidelity's Bitcoin ETF.

The exchange-traded platform (ETP) is backed by Bitcoin held in a secure cold storage facility, with Coinbase handling custody. This system provides investors with a low-risk and cost-effective way to invest in Bitcoin, avoiding the challenges and risks associated with directly owning and storing crypto assets.

BlackRock's entry comes amid an evolving regulatory landscape in the UK, where authorities have indicated their open arms to pave the way for regulated crypto offerings to enter the market.

 

The UK Financial Conduct Authority Takes Regulatory Steps in Support of Cryptocurrencies

The UK Financial Conduct Authority has taken significant steps recently to support regulated cryptocurrency products. Earlier this month, the authority lifted its four-year ban on cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) for retail investors. This policy change now allows regulated UK exchanges to list cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) such as Bitcoin and Ethereum for retail investors for the first time since 2021.

Alongside lifting the ETN ban, the FCA has sought to accelerate the approval process for cryptocurrency licenses. The average application review period has been reduced from 17 months to around five months this year. The FCA has also published consultation papers proposing detailed regulatory rules for cryptocurrency firms, with the aim of subjecting them to supervisory standards similar to those in the traditional financial sector.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) also recently published consultation papers outlining plans to regulate tokenized funds using blockchain technology. These steps indicate a broader trend toward integrating crypto assets into mainstream financial services with regulatory frameworks.

Recent regulatory developments 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. This progress is supported by the FCA's evolving position and faster licensing process, enabling increased institutional and individual participation in the country's cryptocurrency market.