BlackRock has listed its iShares Bitcoin ETP on the London Stock Exchange, allowing UK retail investors to gain bitcoin exposure through regular trading accounts for the first time.
The exchange-traded product is fully backed by physical bitcoin held by Coinbase, so investors do not need to manage private keys or digital wallets.
The company said the move responds to growing UK demand for cryptocurrencies, with investor participation rising at an annual rate of 12% since 2022.
BlackRock’s People & Money: The Next Wave of Crypto Investors in the UK report projects a 21% rise in first-time crypto investors over the next year, with the UK ranking third in Europe for crypto investment growth.
BlackRock highlights secure custody and institutional access with new Bitcoin ETP
The iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) is supported by a technology partnership between Coinbase and BlackRock. Coinbase offers institutional-grade custody that combines physical security, multiparty computation, and strict operational controls to safeguard client assets.
All bitcoin transferred into the ETP is moved to segregated offline cold storage wallets at the close of each trading day, ensuring maximum protection.
Jane Sloan, BlackRock’s EMEA head of global product solutions, said the listing provides a secure gateway for UK investors as the nation’s crypto user base is expected to reach nearly four million next year. She noted that IB1T gives investors access to bitcoin through trusted investment channels backed by strong regulatory oversight.
According to the BlackRock Investment Institute, investors with sound governance and the ability to manage short-term market swings could consider allocating 1–2% of their diversified portfolios to bitcoin.
