UK-listed IG Group launches crypto trading to retail investors

June 2025 is still proving to be a big month for crypto in the UK as IG Group just added more fuel to the fire. The London-based financial services firm, IG Group, has officially opened the doors of cryptocurrency trading to everyday investors. 

This is more than just another trading option. It’s a significant leap forward in how mainstream UK institutions are beginning to embrace digital assets.

From CFDs to Real Crypto

Before now, IG customers could only access crypto through contracts for difference (CFDs). That meant users could bet on the price of digital assets going up or down, but they never actually owned the asset.

As of June 2, retail investors using IG can now buy, sell, and hold actual cryptocurrency. This will not just be Bitcoin and Ethereum, but 31 different digital assets, including altcoins and meme tokens like Bonk.

This is a big pivot, and one that shifts IG Group from a speculative trading tool into a genuine crypto access point. In case you're in doubt, this is all regulated and integrated into the platforms customers already use.

What Can You Now Trade?

IG’s new crypto trading platform includes:

• Bitcoin (BTC)
   
• Ethereum (ETH)
   
• Ripple (XRP)
   
• Litecoin (LTC)
   
• Cardano (ADA)
   
• Solana (SOL)
   
• Polygon (MATIC)
   
• Avalanche (AVAX)
   
• Bonk (BONK)
   
• And a variety of other altcoins and meme coins.

This diversity in assets shows IG’s intent. They're not just dipping a toe in web3 water, they’re offering a full-service crypto trading experience to compete with the likes of Coinbase, Binance, and Revolut.

Seamless Integration with IG Invest

Here’s where it gets interesting for existing IG customers. Crypto trading has also been fully integrated into IG’s web platform and IG Invest mobile app. 

This means that

• You can switch between stock, ETF, and crypto accounts without logging into separate platforms.
   
• Pricing data comes directly from Uphold, a US- and UK-regulated crypto firm.
   
• All transactions are routed through Uphold’s infrastructure, but the experience stays native to IG.

In short, the move doesn’t complicate things. Rather, it smooths them out.

Who Is Uphold?

IG isn’t launching crypto trading solo. They’ve partnered with Uphold, a well-established digital asset platform based in the United States.

Why Uphold? These are two reasons we can identify.

• Compliance: Uphold is already regulated in both the UK and the US. That gives IG’s new crypto arm a head start to meet the UK’s evolving regulatory standards.
   
• Infrastructure: Uphold handles all the backend processes, liquidity, pricing, and execution, while IG focuses on user experience and trust.

As IG’s UK managing director, Michael Healy says, it is a huge moment for IG and a major milestone in the UK's crypto journey.

A Comeback After a Crypto Pause

This isn’t IG’s first crypto rodeo. It’s the first time in years they’ve offered retail clients direct access. In 2021, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) temporarily banned crypto derivatives for retail traders. IG followed the law and pulled the plug on retail crypto CFDs.

Institutional clients still had access to some crypto CFDs, comprising around 11 assets, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, but retail users were excluded. This is why this moment feels big. It’s not just about new assets but a return to the crypto table. Access to real ownership instead of just price speculation.

Why Now?

Timing matters with everything important in life, and now is crypto time. Crypto is making waves again in the UK, and not just among tech bros and Twitter threads.

Here’s what’s been happening:

• In May 2025, the FCA launched a public consultation on stablecoin rules and crypto custody.
   
• In April, the UK government unveiled draft crypto regulations. The goal is to protect investors and stop scammers.
   
• Recent data from Gemini shows that UK retail adoption is rising fast, faster than in most of Europe.

It’s clear the UK is trying to position itself as a crypto-friendly, but well-regulated, financial hub. Something akin to what the EU is doing with MiCA or what the UAE has already achieved in Dubai.

IG’s move to expand its crypto offerings fits neatly into that national trend.

The Bigger Picture: Traditional Finance Embracing Crypto

This launch highlights a broader trend in finance. Traditional financial institutions, once sceptical of crypto, are slowly moving from the sidelines. First came institutional Bitcoin buys, then came ETFs, and now we’re seeing fully regulated, blue-chip companies offering retail crypto trading.

For customers, this means more trust in the platforms. Better protection from fraud and an easy path to enter crypto without needing to leave their current broker. The wild west days of crypto are being slowly fenced in, and not everyone hates it.

Why This Matters for You

If you’re a UK-based investor, you can now diversify directly within IG. You no longer need to bounce between IG for stocks and Binance or Coinbase for crypto. One login and one dashboard is now enough. You’re also now using a regulated partner. 

With Uphold managing the infrastructure, your trades are backed by compliance and solid execution. This is also a win for security, since you’re getting ahead of regulation. With UK crypto regulation on the horizon, working with a company that’s building to meet those standards gives you a head start.

What's Next for IG?

It’s safe to assume this is just the beginning now that IG is offering spot trading for 30+ crypto assets. It wouldn’t be surprising to see crypto staking options added later this year. Integration of stablecoins for easy trading and holding, and more education tools to help traditional investors understand the crypto landscape.

IG has a reputation for playing the long game. They’re not chasing hype, but are laying proper growth infrastructure. If crypto continues to grow, IG will be well-positioned to capture a large slice of the UK market.

Crypto trading on IG isn’t just a new tab in the app. It’s a milestone for the UK’s maturing digital asset space. It sends a clear message that crypto is no longer a fringe bet. It’s becoming part of the mainstream financial ecosystem.

With institutional-grade infrastructure, tight regulation, and a user-friendly interface, IG is making it easier for retail investors to dive into the crypto world without feeling like they’re entering uncharted territory.

So whether you’re buying Bitcoin or just dipping into Dogecoin for fun, you now have one more safe and familiar place to do it.