TLDR
- Valour received approval from the UK Financial Conduct Authority to offer crypto staking ETPs to retail investors.
- The approval allows trading of Bitcoin and Ethereum Physical Staking ETPs on the London Stock Exchange.
- Both ETPs are physically backed and include staking yields in their net asset value.
- Retail investors in the UK can now access crypto staking products through traditional brokerage accounts.
- The FCA lifted its ban on retail crypto exchange-traded notes in October 2025 under strict regulatory conditions.
DeFi Technologies subsidiary Valour has received UK Financial Conduct Authority approval to offer yield-bearing crypto exchange-traded products to retail investors on the London Stock Exchange, enabling direct exposure to staking-based Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs through regulated brokerage platforms.
1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking ETP Gets UK Green Light
Valour secured FCA approval to launch its 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking ETP for UK retail investors starting January 26. This approval allows retail access to a product that integrates staking rewards into its net asset value.
The ETP holds physical Bitcoin and provides yield by participating in blockchain validation through secure custodial infrastructure. It will be available for trading on the LSE and tracked through conventional brokerage accounts used by UK retail clients.
The FCA lifted its ban on crypto exchange-traded notes for retail sales in October 2025. This move opened the path for Valour to introduce physically backed and cold-stored crypto investment products to a wider audience.
According to the revised rules, only Bitcoin and Ethereum products are allowed, and all assets must be held by regulated custodians. Valour confirmed that its products align with these new standards for transparency and asset security.
1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking ETP Approved for Retail Launch
Alongside its Bitcoin product, Valour also received approval for the 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking ETP. This ETP mirrors the structure of its Bitcoin counterpart, incorporating staking rewards into the investment vehicle’s valuation.
Retail investors can now gain regulated exposure to Ethereum staking through this LSE-listed product, managed via regular brokerage accounts. The ETP ensures Ethereum is held in cold storage, fulfilling FCA requirements on secure asset custody.
Valour had earlier launched Ethereum staking ETPs for professional clients, but this marks the first time retail access is permitted. The approval expands Ethereum product availability to individual investors under a regulated and structured framework.
DeFi Technologies CEO Johan Wattenström said, “This is a major milestone as we expand access to regulated digital asset products.”
He emphasized the importance of the UK financial market in their broader strategic rollout.
DeFi Technologies Expands Regulated Access in UK Market
DeFi Technologies, the parent of Valour, continues expanding in European markets with a focus on regulatory compliance and product innovation. The UK approval adds to its existing footprint in Germany and Sweden, where similar products are already live.
The FCA’s October framework change restricts approved crypto ETPs to Bitcoin and Ether only, under strict storage and backing conditions. All products must be physically backed and kept with regulated custodians, excluding synthetic or derivative-based structures.
From April 6, 2026, crypto ETPs will transition from Stocks and Shares ISAs to Innovative Finance ISAs in the UK. This reclassification affects how UK investors can hold these assets in tax-efficient investment accounts.
These crypto ETPs will not fall under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, leaving investors without coverage for issuer failures. This means buyers will bear market and credit risks when investing in these products on the LSE.
UK authorities plan to implement a complete crypto regulatory framework by October 25, 2027. This framework may widen eligible crypto assets if custody and investor protection conditions are satisfied.
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