London Stock Exchange Unveils Cryptocurrency ETNs for Professional Investors

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) is set to introduce two cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) that will enable professional investors to follow the changes in Bitcoin and Ether's values on May 28th. These ETNs must meet certain requirements in order to be approved, like being physically backed by the underlying assets and not being leveraged.

London Stock Exchange to Introduce Cryptocurrency Exchange-Traded Notes

London, April 8, 2023 - The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has announced plans to launch cryptocurrency Exchange-Traded Notes (ETNs) on May 28, 2023. These ETNs will allow investors to track the price movements of Bitcoin and Ether, the two largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.

The launch of these ETNs marks a significant milestone for the cryptocurrency industry, as it provides a regulated and transparent way for investors to access digital assets. However, it is important to note that these ETNs will only be available to professional investors due to restrictions imposed by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

To be approved by the FCA, ETNs must meet stringent criteria, including being physically backed by the underlying assets, not leveraged, and denominated in Bitcoin or Ether. The assets must also be held in cold storage by an authorized depositary within the United Kingdom, the European Union, or the United States.

Applications for these ETNs can be submitted from April 8, 2023, and selected funds will be included in May 2023, subject to FCA approval. The launch of these ETNs comes shortly after the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds in January 2023, indicating a growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies as an investment asset class.

In its biennial plan, the FCA has identified the tightening of measures against crypto market abuse as one of its objectives. The introduction of these ETNs, while providing a gateway for investors, is also part of the FCA's efforts to regulate the cryptocurrency market and protect consumers.

The LSE is one of the world's leading stock exchanges and has a long history of providing investors with access to a wide range of financial products. The launch of these cryptocurrency ETNs underscores the exchange's commitment to innovation and its recognition of the growing importance of digital assets in the global financial landscape.