The UK’s IG Group has officially entered the retail crypto trading market, now offering direct access to 31 cryptocurrencies.
Previously limited to crypto-based contracts for difference (CFDs), IG’s expansion into spot trading signals a major move in the growing UK crypto landscape. Retail investors can now buy, sell, and hold top digital assets like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), XRP, Bonk (BONK), and many more—right from the IG platform.
🔄 From CFDs to Spot Crypto
IG Group has long provided crypto exposure through CFDs, which allow speculation on price movements without actual asset ownership. But now, with spot trading, customers can own digital assets directly at real-time market prices.
This transition puts IG in line with the UK’s evolving crypto regulatory framework and meets rising demand from everyday investors.
🤝 Powered by Uphold
IG’s spot trading service is built in partnership with Uphold, a US- and UK-regulated digital asset firm. Uphold provides:
-
Infrastructure and transaction handling
-
Real-time pricing data
-
Seamless integration with IG’s trading platforms
Clients can switch between crypto, stocks, and other assets on both IG’s main site and IG Invest app, offering a unified experience across markets.
“This is a huge moment for IG and a major milestone in the UK’s crypto journey,” said Michael Healy, IG’s UK managing director.
📈 Crypto Adoption Surges in the UK
The launch comes amid a sharp uptick in UK crypto activity:
-
The UK outpaced Europe in new crypto adoption in 2024, according to Gemini.
-
On May 28, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) began a public consultation on stablecoin regulation and crypto custody rules.
-
In April, the UK government released a draft regulation framework to combat scams and protect retail investors.
These developments suggest the UK is rapidly formalizing its digital asset market, making it safer and more attractive for both institutions and individuals.
🔍 IG’s Crypto History and Regulation Challenges
IG once halted retail crypto trading in 2021 due to the FCA’s temporary ban on crypto derivatives, including CFDs. That ban aimed to protect consumers from excessive risk. Since then, the firm has:
-
Continued offering CFDs to institutional clients
-
Offered CFDs on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Cardano
-
Waited for clearer regulation to re-enter the retail space
Now, with clearer rules emerging, IG is confidently expanding its crypto services.
✅ What This Means for UK Investors
With IG entering spot crypto, UK investors gain:
-
Trusted access to digital assets via a listed financial services firm
-
Simple portfolio management across crypto, stocks, and more
-
Improved regulatory transparency through Uphold’s compliance model
IG’s entry is yet another signal that crypto is becoming mainstream in the UK—and doing so within a regulated, user-friendly ecosystem.
👉 For more updates on global crypto adoption, visit https://cryptodicenews.blog
