The UK financial landscape has taken a significant step forward with IG, a leading global investing and trading platform, officially launching crypto trading for retail investors. As the first UK-listed company to offer such a service directly to individual traders, IG marks a pivotal moment in the mainstream adoption of digital assets across the country.
This strategic move allows clients to seamlessly trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum alongside traditional financial instruments such as stocks, indices, ETFs, commodities, and forex—all within a single, unified platform. The launch reflects growing consumer demand and aligns with the UK government’s recent push toward establishing a clear regulatory framework for crypto assets.
A Unified Investment Experience
With the integration of crypto trading, IG reinforces its position as a one-stop destination for diversified investing. Customers no longer need to juggle multiple accounts or platforms to access different asset classes. Whether managing an ISA, trading shares, or now buying digital currencies, users can switch between account types effortlessly through the IG Invest app or desktop platform.
👉 Discover how integrated crypto trading can simplify your investment strategy today.
This streamlined experience is designed for both seasoned traders and newcomers alike, offering transparency, ease of use, and access to real-time market data—all critical factors in building confidence in this evolving space.
Strategic Partnership with Uphold
The new crypto offering is powered by Uphold, a trusted financial technology firm specializing in on-chain payments, banking, and investment infrastructure. All customer transactions are executed through Uphold’s secure systems, which are fully embedded into IG’s user interface. This partnership ensures competitive pricing, reliable execution, and robust compliance.
Uphold brings a strong commitment to transparency—publishing its assets and liabilities every 30 seconds on a public dashboard. Importantly, Uphold does not lend out customer funds and maintains 100% reserves, enhancing security for investors using the IG platform.
Simon McLoughlin, CEO of Uphold, emphasized the importance of collaboration:
“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 Rising Crypto Adoption
The timing of this launch is no coincidence. Recent data from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) shows continued growth in crypto ownership among UK residents. As public interest increases and regulatory clarity emerges—such as the government’s plans for a formal crypto regime—established financial institutions are stepping in to meet demand responsibly.
Michael Healy, UK Managing Director at IG, highlighted the significance:
“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.”
He added that the goal is to provide a trusted environment where investors can engage with digital assets using a provider already familiar to hundreds of thousands of UK traders—offering clear fees and regulated oversight.
Transparent Fees and Risk Awareness
IG charges a straightforward 1.49% fee per crypto trade, with no hidden costs or additional charges. This transparent pricing model helps users make informed decisions without worrying about surprise expenses.
However, IG also emphasizes that all trading involves risk. Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile, and investors should be prepared for the possibility of losing their entire investment. The platform encourages users to educate themselves before diving in—underscoring responsible trading practices.
👉 Learn how to navigate crypto volatility with smarter trading tools.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is IG the first UK-listed company to offer crypto trading?
Yes, IG is the first publicly listed company on the London Stock Exchange (LSEG: IGG) to roll out direct crypto trading access to retail investors in the UK.
Q: Which cryptocurrencies are available on IG?
Initially, customers can trade major digital assets including Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), with potential for expansion to other coins in the future.
Q: How does the IG-Uphold partnership work?
While IG provides the front-end trading interface and customer support, all crypto transactions are processed through Uphold’s backend infrastructure. Uphold supplies pricing data and executes trades securely.
Q: Are my crypto assets safe on IG?
Your holdings benefit from Uphold’s security model, which includes 100% reserve backing and no lending of customer funds. However, unlike traditional investments, crypto is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
Q: Can I trade crypto within my ISA or share dealing account?
While you cannot hold crypto inside an ISA due to current regulations, you can easily switch between your ISA, share dealing account, and crypto wallet within the same IG platform.
Q: What fees apply when trading crypto on IG?
IG applies a flat fee of 1.49% per transaction, whether buying or selling. There are no subscription fees, withdrawal fees, or hidden charges.
👉 Compare low-fee crypto trading options designed for UK investors.
Looking Ahead
IG’s entry into the crypto space signals broader institutional acceptance and could pave the way for more traditional brokers to follow suit. As regulation evolves and investor education improves, platforms like IG play a crucial role in bridging the gap between conventional finance and digital asset markets.
By integrating crypto into its existing ecosystem, IG not only meets changing investor needs but also sets a benchmark for transparency, security, and accessibility in the rapidly growing world of digital finance.
Whether you're looking to diversify your portfolio or simply explore what crypto has to offer, having a regulated, well-established provider like IG lowers barriers and increases trust—making it easier than ever to take part in the future of finance.