Hargreaves Lansdown Enters Crypto Market with Exchange-Traded Notes
Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK's largest retail investment service, has launched cryptocurrency ETNs (exchange-traded notes) for a select group of investors. The move marks a significant shift in the company's product offerings, which previously included funds, stocks, and pension solutions.
The launch began in September 2026 after the FCA lifted its ban on retail crypto ETNs. Hargreaves Lansdown had indicated plans to enter this segment nearly a year prior.
Cryptocurrency ETNs allow investors to access digital assets through a regulated exchange instrument without directly purchasing cryptocurrency or dealing with a crypto wallet. Instead, they buy an ETN that tracks the price of Bitcoin or Ethereum, which operates as a debt instrument tied to the underlying asset.