Hargreaves Lansdown Unlocks Crypto ETNs for Two Million Users

Hargreaves Lansdown, the UK's largest investment platform, has opened access to nine Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded notes (ETNs) for its approximately two million eligible users. The products are available through the Advanced Investing service, which requires customers to complete investor protection checks.

The launch comes nearly 11 months after the Financial Conduct Authority lifted its four-year restriction on retail access to qualifying crypto ETNs in October 2025. Hargreaves Lansdown had initially taken a cautious approach, warning investors that Bitcoin is not an asset class and acknowledging some customers might want speculative exposure.

Crypto ETNs track the price of underlying digital assets without providing direct ownership. Investors must self-certify as advanced investors, complete an online appropriateness assessment, and undergo a 24-hour cooling-off period before accessing the products.