IG Expands into Direct Crypto Trading
UK-based IG Group has taken a fresh step into the digital currency scene by making it possible for everyday investors to directly buy and sell cryptocurrencies through its platform. Previously, the firm only allowed speculation on price movements without giving clients actual ownership of crypto. This new shift offers more control and flexibility for those eager to explore digital assets.
Retail traders using IG’s services can now purchase and store crypto directly, marking the firm’s deeper involvement in this rapidly developing market. The move opens up access to a basket of 31 different cryptocurrencies, including well-known tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and XRP. Lesser-known options and internet-fuelled meme coins such as Bonk are also included, providing a wide range for users to engage with.
Image 1: Crypto market chart (Source: IG)
This development allows IG clients to move between various asset classes within the same ecosystem. Crypto trading is now available through the company’s existing online platform and its investment app, giving users the convenience of switching between shares, forex, and digital currencies without having to juggle different providers.
Built-in Partnership and Integrated Trading Experience
To support this transition, IG has formed a strategic alliance with Uphold, a crypto firm operating out of the United States. Uphold is officially registered with financial regulators in both the UK and US. Its role is to provide all the back-end technology for handling transactions, as well as supplying the data used to determine cryptocurrency pricing on IG’s platform.
Rather than directing users to a separate app or service, IG has incorporated Uphold’s systems directly into its own. This approach keeps the experience seamless for customers, who can carry out crypto purchases in the same way they’d buy shares or other investment products on IG. Uphold manages the technical and regulatory side, while IG remains the face of the customer experience.
Michael Healy, who oversees IG’s operations in the UK, described this step as a defining point not just for the business, but for the broader adoption of digital currencies in the country. He believes it gives individual investors the ability to interact with crypto markets using a trustworthy, long-standing financial firm instead of relying solely on newer or unregulated exchanges.
From CFDs to Real Crypto Ownership
Before this change, IG’s involvement in crypto was limited to Contracts for Difference (CFDs), a financial product that allows speculation on whether prices will go up or down—without actually owning the asset. While popular with professional traders, CFDs are often considered risky and unsuitable for beginners. The introduction of spot trading, which involves actual ownership, is a major shift in direction for IG.
The company had earlier withdrawn crypto-related CFDs for retail clients in the UK following restrictions from the nation’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In 2021, the FCA banned certain types of crypto derivatives, claiming they posed too much risk to average investors due to the volatile nature of the market and the potential for rapid losses.
By focusing on direct purchases of digital currencies instead of synthetic products like CFDs, IG is aligning its offerings with a more stable and long-term approach. This could make the platform more attractive to users who are curious about cryptocurrencies but cautious about the dangers of speculative trading.
This renewed focus comes at a time when digital asset adoption is ramping up across the United Kingdom. According to IG, the decision to provide real crypto access is partly in response to increasing demand and a changing regulatory climate that appears more open to innovation in the financial technology space.
Image 2: Bitcoin (Source: IG)
UK’s Crypto Scene Matures Amid Regulatory Push
In recent months, the UK has begun firming up its approach to overseeing digital assets. Authorities are consulting the public on rules that would apply to companies managing crypto custody and stablecoins—types of cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a steady value. These changes are aimed at improving protection for investors and giving structure to a sector that has operated in a grey area for years.
Draft legislation was also published by the UK government in April, setting the stage for formal regulation of digital assets like Bitcoin. The rules are intended to curb harmful practices while allowing legitimate crypto-related businesses to flourish under clear guidance. As part of this evolution, major players like IG are taking steps to ensure they remain relevant and responsible in a shifting landscape.
By offering real cryptocurrency trading in a user-friendly and regulated environment, IG may be helping to redefine how digital assets are perceived by the public. Instead of being viewed solely as speculative tools, cryptocurrencies are increasingly seen as a legitimate part of the broader investment world.
