The landscape for regulated cryptocurrency investment in the United Kingdom and Australia is expanding in 2026, with new exchange-traded products (ETPs) and funds (ETFs) providing traditional investors with easier access to digital assets. In the UK, while US-style crypto ETFs are not directly available, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has approved several crypto ETPs and exchange-traded notes (ETNs) for retail access, trading on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
For UK investors, the guide highlights five key products: The iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T), which is physically backed by Bitcoin held in custody by Coinbase; the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (BTCH); the 21Shares Ethereum ETP (ETHH); separate Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs from Bitwise; and the newly launched 21Shares BOLD ETP. The BOLD ETP, approved by the FCA in early 2026, uniquely combines Bitcoin and gold in a single product, rebalanced monthly based on inverse historical volatility to manage risk.
Simultaneously, the Australian market has matured, offering spot crypto ETFs on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). These funds hold the actual digital assets in institutional custody. The featured options include the 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (EBTC) and Ethereum ETF (EETH), the Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF (BTCQ) and Ethereum ETF (ETHI), and the BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF (CRYP). Unlike the others, CRYP provides indirect exposure by investing in global crypto-related companies like exchanges and miners, rather than holding cryptocurrencies directly.
These developments in both jurisdictions signify a growing institutional pathway for crypto adoption, allowing investors to gain exposure through familiar brokerage and tax-advantaged accounts without the need for personal wallet management or direct on-chain security concerns.
