The UK financial landscape has taken a significant leap forward as IG, a leading global investing and trading platform, officially launches its crypto trading service for retail investors. This milestone positions IG as the first UK-listed company to integrate cryptocurrency trading directly into its mainstream investment offering—marking a pivotal moment in the country’s journey toward regulated digital asset adoption.
Now, clients can seamlessly trade crypto assets alongside traditional financial instruments such as stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and forex—all within a single, unified platform. The move reflects both rising consumer demand and increasing regulatory clarity in the UK’s evolving crypto ecosystem.
A Unified Investment Experience
With this launch, IG delivers a comprehensive, all-in-one trading experience. Investors no longer need to juggle multiple platforms to access different asset classes. Whether building a diversified portfolio or exploring emerging digital assets, users can now manage everything through IG’s intuitive interface—both on desktop and via the IG Invest app, introduced earlier this year.
The integration includes support for major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), as well as select alternative digital assets. This broad access ensures that both novice and experienced traders can participate in the growing crypto market with confidence.
👉 Discover how you can start trading crypto alongside traditional assets today.
Strategic Partnership with Uphold
IG’s crypto offering is powered by a strategic partnership with Uphold, a respected financial technology firm specializing in blockchain-based payments, banking, and investment infrastructure. Uphold handles all transaction execution and provides real-time pricing data, with its systems fully embedded into IG’s user experience.
This collaboration ensures robust security, transparent operations, and seamless performance. Notably, Uphold maintains 100% reserve backing for customer assets and publishes its full balance sheet transparency updates every 30 seconds on its public ledger—a rare level of openness in the fintech space.
Simon McLoughlin, CEO of Uphold, emphasized the importance of trusted partnerships:
“We are proud to have worked with IG and helped such a well-known brand bring crypto services to the UK market. We want to give people better access to this asset class so they can participate in the evolving financial world. Partnerships like this are so important in helping us achieve that goal.”
Responding to Market Demand and Regulatory Momentum
The timing of IG’s crypto launch aligns with two key trends: surging retail interest and advancing government regulation. According to data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), crypto ownership among UK adults continues to rise, with increasing numbers viewing digital assets as a legitimate part of their investment strategy.
Additionally, recent announcements from the UK government outlining plans for a formal crypto regulatory framework have provided much-needed clarity for institutions. This evolving legal environment enables established financial firms like IG to enter the space responsibly and securely.
Michael Healy, UK Managing Director at IG, highlighted the significance of the moment:
“This is a huge moment for IG and a major milestone in the UK's crypto journey, with retail investors now able to buy, sell and hold crypto assets with a grown-up business. Adoption is rapidly growing and with UK crypto regulation gathering steam, we want to give existing and future investors a platform where they can trade crypto with clear and transparent fees.”
He added:
“With the addition of crypto, our customers will enjoy a more streamlined investing experience, with IG providing a one-stop shop for a wide range of assets. We’re really excited to bring this offer to market.”
Transparent Fees and Risk Awareness
IG has committed to transparency in pricing. The platform charges a straightforward 1.49% fee per crypto trade, with no hidden costs or additional charges—a structure designed to build trust and encourage informed participation.
However, IG also emphasizes that all trading involves risk, particularly in volatile markets like cryptocurrency. The company urges investors to understand that crypto is a high-risk asset class and that capital is at risk. Protection under standard financial safeguards may not apply, underscoring the importance of education and caution.
👉 Learn more about secure and transparent ways to enter the crypto market.
Why This Matters for UK Investors
IG’s entry into crypto trading represents more than just a product expansion—it signals growing institutional validation of digital assets. As a FTSE 250-listed company, IG brings credibility, regulatory compliance, and mass-market reach to the crypto space.
For retail investors, this means:
- Access to crypto through a familiar, regulated provider
- Integrated portfolio management across asset classes
- Enhanced security and transparency
- Lower barriers to entry compared to standalone crypto exchanges
It also sets a precedent for other traditional financial institutions considering similar moves, potentially accelerating broader adoption across Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is IG the first UK company to offer crypto trading?
A: IG is the first UK-listed company to launch a dedicated crypto trading service for retail investors, making it a trailblazer in integrating digital assets into mainstream finance.
Q: Which cryptocurrencies are available on IG?
A: The platform supports major coins including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), along with select smaller-cap digital assets. More may be added over time based on demand and market conditions.
Q: How does IG ensure the security of crypto holdings?
A: While IG doesn’t directly custody crypto, its partner Uphold uses 100% reserved backing and publishes real-time transparency reports. Customer funds are safeguarded through strict compliance protocols.
Q: Are there any hidden fees when trading crypto on IG?
A: No. IG charges a flat 1.49% fee per trade with no additional or concealed charges—ensuring full cost transparency.
Q: Can I trade crypto within my ISA or share dealing account?
A: While you can switch between account types (e.g., from crypto to an ISA), current regulations do not allow crypto to be held within tax-advantaged accounts like ISAs.
Q: Does this mean crypto is now fully regulated in the UK?
A: Not yet—but the government is actively developing a formal regulatory framework. IG’s launch demonstrates confidence in the direction of policy and strengthens calls for clear rules.
👉 See how leading platforms are shaping the future of regulated crypto trading.
Looking Ahead
IG’s launch reinforces its commitment to innovation and customer-centric service in an era of rapid financial transformation. By bridging traditional investing with next-generation digital assets, IG is helping shape a more inclusive, flexible, and modern financial ecosystem.
As crypto adoption accelerates and regulation evolves, platforms that combine accessibility, transparency, and trust—like IG—are poised to lead the next phase of financial innovation in the UK and beyond.
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