BlackRock debuts iShares Bitcoin ETP for UK retail market
BlackRock has introduced a Bitcoin-backed exchange-traded product (ETP) for retail investors in the UK, following regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The product, which went live on October 20 under the iShares brand, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and allows UK retail investors to gain price exposure to Bitcoin through a regulated investment wrapper. The fund tracks Bitcoin’s market value and provides custody through approved institutional partners.
The launch follows the FCA’s recent decision to allow crypto-linked investment products to be offered to retail clients under supervised conditions. BlackRock previously offered similar Bitcoin-linked products in the US and Europe before introducing the structure to the UK market.
The launch follows the FCA’s recent decision to allow crypto-linked investment products to be offered to retail clients under supervised conditions. BlackRock previously offered similar Bitcoin-linked products in the US and Europe before introducing the structure to the UK market.
The ETP is available through regulated brokers and investment platforms operating under UK financial services rules. It is designed to provide exposure to Bitcoin’s price movements without requiring investors to directly hold or manage digital assets.
BlackRock has taken aggressive steps into digital assets and alternative investment strategies. In the third quarter of 2025 the firm reported assets under management of $13.5 trillion, driven by $205 billion of net new inflows across its global operations. Its iShares ETF platform alone surpassed $5 trillion in assets during that period. Meanwhile, the private markets division reported $13.2 billion in new commitments, including $7.9 billion in private credit.
On the crypto front, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP (ticker IB1T) offers exposure to Bitcoin via cold-storage custody provided by Coinbase, and is denominated in US dollars. The fund’s total expense ratio is waived down to 0.15% through 31 December 2025, and will increase to 0.25% in 2026.
BlackRock has taken aggressive steps into digital assets and alternative investment strategies. In the third quarter of 2025 the firm reported assets under management of $13.5 trillion, driven by $205 billion of net new inflows across its global operations. Its iShares ETF platform alone surpassed $5 trillion in assets during that period. Meanwhile, the private markets division reported $13.2 billion in new commitments, including $7.9 billion in private credit.
On the crypto front, BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP (ticker IB1T) offers exposure to Bitcoin via cold-storage custody provided by Coinbase, and is denominated in US dollars. The fund’s total expense ratio is waived down to 0.15% through 31 December 2025, and will increase to 0.25% in 2026.
Author
Sebile Fane cut her teeth in blockchain by building tiny NFT experiments with friends in her living room, long before the buzzwords took hold. She’s driven by a curiosity for the human stories behind smart contracts — whether it’s a small-town artist minting her first token or a DAO voting on climate grants — and weaves technical insight with genuine empathy.
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