Summarize the content using AI
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management company, has launched its iShares Bitcoin 
$103,176 Exchange-Traded Product (ETP) on the London Stock Exchange as of October 20, 2025. Under the ticker symbol IB1T, this new fund provides UK retail investors with the opportunity to access Bitcoin directly through a regulated exchange-traded product for the first time.
Physically Backed Bitcoin Investment Era
The iShares Bitcoin ETP is distinct from derivative-based products, as it directly tracks Bitcoin’s spot price. Investors can transparently assess price movements without needing to purchase or store the asset themselves. According to MoneyMarketing, BlackRock ensures the product is fully physically supported and will protect the BTC under the ETP’s control using multi-party computation and cold wallet systems via Coinbase.
The introduction of the ETP signifies not only the increasing institutional adoption of cryptocurrencies but also the maturing regulatory framework. BlackRock executives believe that the UK market is entering a new phase that will enhance investor confidence.
FCA Approval Marks a New Chapter in the UK Crypto Market
The launch follows shortly after the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) lifted its restrictions on crypto-linked ETPs. This development grants UK retail investors legal access to regulated Bitcoin funds for the first time since 2021.
With this move, the UK joins European markets like Germany and France in becoming more open to crypto innovation. Following the success of BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) fund, which manages over $85.5 billion in the US, the company aims to achieve a similar momentum within the UK.
According to BlackRock’s research findings, it is predicted that 21% of the UK adult population will invest in cryptocurrencies for the first time over the next 12 months. This rate could propel the UK to become Europe’s third-fastest-growing cryptocurrency market.
As this article was being prepared, Bitcoin had increased by 2.87% in the last 24 hours, trading at $110,783.
