London Stock Exchange to list physically-backed Bitcoin, Ethereum ETPs

An international exchange-traded fund provider WisdomTree has become among the first issuers to have its crypto ETPs listed on LSE.

WisdomTree, an international exchange-traded fund (ETF) and exchange-traded product (ETP) provider, has achieved approval from the British Financial Conduct Authority to list its physically-backed Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs on the London Stock Exchange (LSE), marking a pivotal moment for the industry and U.K.-based professional investors.

In a blog announcement on May 22, Alexis Marinof, head of Europe at WisdomTree, emphasized the importance of this development, calling the approval a “significant step forward for the industry” in the U.K.

Marinof also noted that regulatory limitations and uncertainty had previously barred many professional investors from gaining exposure to Bitcoin and other crypto. However, with the FCA’s approval, these barriers to entry are anticipated to diminish.

The company’s crypto ETPs are already listed on other stock exchanges including Deutsche Börse Xetra, the Swiss Stock Exchange SIX, and Euronext exchanges in Paris and Amsterdam. WisdomTree’s Bitcoin (BTCW) and Ethereum (ETHW) ETPs are anticipated to start trading on May 28.

It’s worth noting that the crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) slated for trading on the LSE are restricted to professional investors and will operate within designated trading segments. Each crypto ETN may offer up to three different currency lines, enhancing flexibility for investors looking to diversify their exposure to crypto through traditional financial markets.