Valour Inc., a leading issuer of digital asset Exchange-Traded Products (ETPs), announced today a landmark decision from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), granting it approval to market its Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) ETPs directly to retail investors across the United Kingdom. This authorization represents a significant shift in the FCA’s long-standing regulatory position, which had previously prohibited the sale of crypto-backed derivatives and ETPs to non-professional clients.
The approval is viewed by industry experts as a watershed moment for the UK’s digital finance sector, opening up regulated access to the two largest cryptocurrencies for millions of retail brokerage accounts. Valour stated that the authorization covers its physically-backed ETPs, ensuring that investors gain direct exposure to the performance of the underlying assets with institutional-grade security and transparency.
Since imposing the ban (PS20/10) on retail crypto derivatives in 2021, the FCA has maintained a cautious stance, citing concerns over volatility and the potential for consumer harm. Valour’s successful application suggests that the regulator is now comfortable with the robust compliance, governance, and risk mitigation frameworks employed by established ETP issuers.
The ETPs are expected to be listed on a recognized UK investment exchange, providing liquidity and simplifying access for retail traders who prefer dealing with regulated financial products rather than proprietary crypto exchanges. Valour, already a prominent player in European markets such as Sweden and Germany, emphasized that this move cements its commitment to offering regulated digital asset exposure in globally significant financial centers. Analysts anticipate this approval will pressure other major European issuers to seek similar retail authorizations in the UK, potentially accelerating the country’s adoption of mainstream crypto investment vehicles.
Source: Valour wins FCA approval to offer Bitcoin, Ether ETPs to UK retail investors
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