BlackRock Launches Bitcoin ETP on London Stock Exchange

TLDR

• BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin ETP launched on October 20, 2025.
• Over 1,000 shares traded within the first hour of launch.
• FCA’s decision lifted the ban on crypto investment products.

BlackRock has introduced its first Bitcoin Exchange-Traded Product (ETP), known as iShares Bitcoin ETP (ticker: IB1T), on the London Stock Exchange. The launch on October 20, 2025, occurred shortly after the UK Financial Conduct Authority lifted its ban on crypto-based investment products.

Simultaneously, several other major issuers, including 21Shares, WisdomTree, and Bitwise, have introduced similar products. This move broadens retail access to Bitcoin exposure within the UK market.

BlackRock’s Strategic Expansion Into European Markets

BlackRock is a leading asset manager known for its global presence in both traditional finance and digital asset investment products. The company previously released its flagship Bitcoin ETF (IBIT) in the US. Now, it’s expanding into European markets with the new Bitcoin ETP, similar to those listed earlier this year in Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Key figures behind BlackRock include CEO Larry Fink, Salim Ramji as the Global Head of iShares, and Anna Gaeckle leading iShares EMEA. They have consistently emphasized digital asset adoption and ETF innovation. Invest in iShares Bitcoin ETP from BlackRock

Early Performance and Market Reception

The iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) is physically backed by Bitcoin, offering institutional-grade custody. BlackRock’s US-listed IBIT has drawn $85.5 billion in net assets, indicating substantial institutional interest. In London, over 1,000 IBIT shares were traded within the first hour of launching on the LSE, illustrating strong initial liquidity.

BlackRock’s iShares team stated on their website, “The product is physically backed by bitcoin and is designed to provide investors with direct exposure to the price of bitcoin without owning it directly.” This product is expected to attract more institutional and retail capital flows into Bitcoin through a regulated security.

Implications for Competing Cryptocurrencies

Bitcoin (BTC) is the primary asset affected by these new crypto investment offerings. However, competing crypto Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) from issuers like 21Shares, with products such as AETH and ETHC, could influence Ethereum (ETH) through secondary effects.

21Shares and WisdomTree have also launched new products, including low-fee ETNs with 0.10% management fees. The immediate market response, indicated by trading volume, suggests substantial interest and optimism about regulated crypto access for UK retail and institutional investors.

Regulatory Considerations and Wider Market Context

The Financial Conduct Authority’s recent decision to lift the ban marked a pivotal change, allowing retail access to regulated crypto ETPs in the UK. This action aligns with broader European market trends, which previously saw rapid asset growth following crypto ETP launches in countries like Germany and France.

Representatives from FCA, SEC, or CFTC have not issued direct statements related to this specific UK development, as it falls under the EU regulatory framework. The market sentiment within social channels suggests increased optimism about expanded regulated access.