IG Group Becomes First London-Listed Broker to Offer Spot Crypto Trading

IG Group is set to make history on Tuesday, June 3, by becoming the first London-listed brokerage to offer spot cryptocurrency trading for retail investors in the United Kingdom.
The move expands the firm’s multi-asset platform to include direct access to 38 digital assets, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL) and others.
The new crypto trading capability will be delivered through a strategic partnership with digital asset exchange Uphold. Uphold will handle both custody and execution, although investors should note that assets held with the platform are not protected under the UK’s Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).
According to IG U.K. managing director Michael Healy, the launch is driven by rising retail interest. “Customer demand is reaching a tipping point,” Healy told The Times. “Our traditional account holders want direct exposure to digital assets.”
The platform will support fully paid positions only, meaning no leverage will be offered for crypto trades. This aligns with current regulatory caution around crypto derivatives for retail clients in the UK.
With this move, IG Group positions itself at the forefront of regulated crypto access for retail users in Britain, setting a precedent for other financial institutions looking to bridge traditional finance with digital assets.