Retail access to crypto ETFs to face Consumer Duty hurdles even if 'unlikely' UK approval granted

Platform concerns over investor protections

Valeria Martinez
clock • 3 min read

Direct-to-consumer investment platforms in the UK may face obstacles in offering crypto ETFs due to Consumer Duty regulations, should these products ever be approved for sale by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The Securities and Exchange Commission approved the applications of several spot bitcoin ETFs last week, a move long-awaited by the cryptocurrency industry, which had seen previous attempts to launch these products shot down by the regulator. Eleven spot bitcoin ETFs, including BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust, Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, the WisdomTree Bitcoin fund and ARK 21Shares Bitcoin ETF, began trading last Thursday (11 January).  Despite the decision being described by many as a "watershed moment", some players have approached the move with caution. Vanguard, the world's second ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on Platforms

TILLIT drops Ninety One UK Sustainable Equity and Janus Henderson Strategic Bond funds

TILLIT drops Ninety One UK Sustainable Equity and Janus Henderson Strategic Bond funds

Amid merger and performance issues

Sorin Dojan
clock 20 December 2024 • 2 min read
Platform service worsens as cost of living spurs clients to move assets

Platform service worsens as cost of living spurs clients to move assets

People 'needing cash more than ever'

Sahar Nazir
clock 29 November 2024 • 2 min read
AJ Bell provides retail shareholders with electronic voting capabilities

AJ Bell provides retail shareholders with electronic voting capabilities

Follows HL and ii

Linus Uhlig
clock 18 November 2024 • 1 min read
Trustpilot