Bitwise Launches Four Crypto ETPs on London Stock Exchange — UK Retail Investors Left Behind

Bitwise Launches Four Crypto ETPs on London Stock Exchange — UK Retail Investors Left Behind

🇬🇧 Bitwise Expands Crypto Reach to London Stock Exchange, but Retail Investors Still Excluded

April 17, 2025 — Bitwise Asset Management, a leading crypto investment firm, has listed four new cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). The move underscores growing institutional interest in digital assets across Europe, even as retail investors in the UK remain shut out of the action.

 Four New Crypto ETPs Target Institutional Players

In an announcement made on April 16, Bitwise confirmed the listing of the following crypto ETPs:

• Bitwise Core Bitcoin ETP

• Bitwise Physical Bitcoin ETP

• Bitwise Physical Ethereum ETP

• Bitwise Ethereum Staking ETP

These products are available only to institutional or accredited investors, leaving everyday traders unable to access them directly on the LSE.

“This expansion is part of Bitwise’s broader strategy to legitimize crypto investments globally,” said Matt Hougan, Bitwise Chief Investment Officer.

Europe Embraces Crypto — With Caveats

The UK’s regulatory framework currently restricts retail investor access to crypto ETPs, a stance that contrasts with Europe’s more open markets. Nevertheless, the listing marks another step in crypto’s integration into traditional financial infrastructure.

“Digital assets are steadily becoming part of mainstream portfolios,” noted Hougan, “but regulatory disparity continues to create barriers for everyday investors.”

🇺🇸 Bitwise Rides Momentum from US Regulatory Shift

Bitwise’s latest European expansion follows a surge in crypto ETF filings in the United States, triggered by the January 2025 resignation of former SEC Chair Gary Gensler. With expectations of a more relaxed regulatory climate, asset managers have begun pursuing broader crypto product offerings.

In the US, Bitwise secured preliminary SEC approval in January for its combined BTC and ETH ETF, which awaits final clearance. Meanwhile, in March 2025, the New York Stock Exchange filed to list the Bitwise Dogecoin ETF—potentially making Dogecoin the first memecoin with a U.S.-listed investment vehicle.

Additionally, Bitwise has proposed a Bitwise Aptos ETF, which would hold APT, the native token of the high-speed Aptos blockchain, but without staking rewards.

Institutional Inflows Set to Reshape Crypto Markets

Matt Hougan is bullish on the impact of institutional investment, forecasting that Bitcoin ETFs alone could attract $50 billion in inflows in 2025. These ETFs are seen as price stabilizers, offering traditional investors low-volatility exposure to crypto through regulated vehicles.

“ETPs are a gateway for traditional capital into the digital asset space,” Hougan emphasized.

Final Thoughts

While Bitwise’s new listings mark another significant stride for crypto’s mainstream adoption, UK retail investors are still watching from the sidelines. As regulatory conversations evolve, market watchers are hopeful that access will broaden—potentially unlocking a wave of retail engagement in digital assets.