Valour, the UK arm of digital asset firm DeFi Technologies, has secured regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer Bitcoin and Ethereum exchange-traded products (ETPs) to retail investors. The products officially began trading on the London Stock Exchange, marking a significant shift in the UK’s approach to regulated crypto investment.
This development follows the FCA’s decision to lift its long-standing ban on crypto ETPs for retail investors, reopening the market after years of restrictions.
Bitcoin and Ethereum Staking ETPs Go Live
The newly approved products 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking — provide investors with direct, exchange-listed exposure to Bitcoin and Ether, while incorporating staking mechanisms designed to generate additional yield.
Previously, similar offerings were limited to professional investors only. The latest approval expands access to everyday UK investors seeking transparent and regulated crypto exposure through traditional financial markets.
Growing Institutional and Global Momentum
The UK approval builds on Valour’s broader international expansion, including the recent launch of a Solana-linked ETP in Brazil. Meanwhile, the London Stock Exchange now hosts over 2,300 ETPs from more than 50 issuers, with crypto ETP trading volumes reaching approximately $280 million in December.
Despite recent market volatility, major asset managers continue to expand their regulated crypto offerings, highlighting long-term institutional confidence in digital assets even as crypto ETPs recorded $1.7 billion in net outflows last week, driven by shifting interest-rate expectations and price momentum.
This approval signals a clear regulatory pivot, offering UK retail investors safer exchange-regulated access to digital assets without directly holding cryptocurrencies.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.