Hargreaves Lansdown Offers Bitcoin Trading After Previous Volatility Warning

British financial services firm Hargreaves Lansdown has made an about-face on Bitcoin. Just over a year after warning investors of its 'high-risk' nature, the company is now offering Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency exchange-traded notes (ETNs) to retail customers.

The move comes after the firm's website stated that several ETNs are available for purchase, including those tracking the price of Bitcoin. However, Hargreaves Lansdown still warns users that these 'crypto ETNs' are considered high-risk and may be volatile.

In a surprising reversal from its previous stance, Hargreaves Lansdown is now allowing retail investors to buy exposure to Bitcoin through these ETNs. The company manages nearly £173 billion ($233 billion) in assets and had previously stated that it did not think cryptocurrency should be included in portfolios for growth or income.