Global Crypto Product Disuer 21Shares has partnered with UK wealth management app Stratiphy to allow retail investors to buy and hold crypto exchange traded notes (ETNS) as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lifts its four-year ban on such products.
The move marks a shift in the UK’s stance on digital assets, allowing regulated retail investors access to crypto for the first time. Stratiphy will become the first UK wealth manager to list 21Shares’ products, which include physically backed bitcoin and ETNTheum and Etns.
Through the app, users will be able to add crypto exposure to their existing portfolios alongside traditional assets. Stratiphy’s AI-powered tools allow investors to test and automate investment strategies – features the company says help retail traders manage risk and plan for the long term.
“Investor demand for digital assets continues to skyrocket,” said Daniel Gold, founder and CEO of Stratiphy. “This partnership ensures that we can offer regulated access to crypto as soon as FCA approval takes effect.”
21Shares manages over $11 billion in assets across 50 crypto-traded products listed in Europe. In 2024, €26 billion worth of crypto ETPs were traded on European exchanges, according to company data – a 300% increase from the previous year.
Russell Barlow, CEO of 21Shares, said the FCA lifting its ban on retail access to crypto ETNs is a huge step for the UK, where 12% of adults already organize crypto exchanges directly through largely unregulated platforms and exchanges.
“Lifting the ban on Bitcoin and Ethereum-backed ETNs is a great first step, allowing retail investors to gain exposure to the two largest cryptocurrencies in the easiest and safest way,” Barlow said.
“As regulated ETNSs, we anticipate these will be eligible for inclusion in ISA and SIPP wallets, allowing tax exposure to crypto valuers as part of an investment portfolio.”
