BlackRock has officially listed its iShares Bitcoin ETP (IB1T) on the London Stock Exchange, making it available to UK retail investors for the first time. The product gives exposure to Bitcoin without the need to trade or hold the cryptocurrency directly.
The ETP is fully backed by Bitcoin, with custody provided by Coinbase. Assets are held in segregated, offline cold storage wallets at the end of each trading day, supported by Coinbase’s institutional security framework.
BlackRock said the launch comes amid growing demand for crypto exposure in the UK, with local adoption rising at an annualised 12% since 2022. Research cited by the firm suggests a further 21% increase in first-time UK crypto investors over the next 12 months, placing the country third in Europe for crypto investment growth.
BlackRock enable ‘securer gateway to digital assets¡
Jane Sloan, EMEA Head of Global Product Solutions at BlackRock, said the listing “unlocks a securer gateway to digital assets through traditional investment platforms” as the UK investor base is projected to approach four million people in the year ahead.
The iShares Bitcoin ETP carries a total expense ratio (TER) of 15 basis points per year, including a temporary waiver running until 31 December 2025. From 1 January 2026, the TER will rise to 25 bps annually.
The BlackRock Investment Institute (BII) noted that for investors able to withstand bitcoin’s volatility, an allocation of 1–2% to the asset class can be reasonable in diversified portfolios.
