Emre Yumlu 
London-based financial services firm IG Group has taken its presence in the crypto world a step further by announcing the launch of direct crypto trading services for retail investors. Previously, the company had only offered exposure through crypto-based contracts for difference (CFDs).
With this new service, IG users can now access a total of 31 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ether, XRP, and memecoins like Bonk.
Crypto Trading Platform Launched in Partnership with Uphold
IG Group’s latest crypto offering is delivered through a strategic collaboration with Uphold, a digital asset company that holds regulatory licenses in both the US and the UK.
Thanks to this integration, users can smoothly switch between crypto accounts and other investment accounts via the IG Invest mobile app and the IG platform. All customer transactions and price data are handled through Uphold’s infrastructure.
Michael Healy, IG Group’s UK Managing Director, commented: “This is a major milestone for IG and a significant step in the UK’s crypto journey. Now, retail investors can trade crypto assets through a well-established and professional platform.”
Transition from CFDs to Spot Crypto
IG had previously entered the crypto space with CFD services tailored to institutional clients. CFDs allow investors to speculate on asset prices without owning the actual assets.
With this new offering, IG makes a direct entry into spot markets, enabling investors to buy and hold crypto assets at real-time prices.
According to the company’s official website, IG still allows CFD trading on 11 major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ether, Litecoin, and Cardano.
Crypto Regulations Accelerate in the UK
IG’s latest move comes at a time when regulatory efforts around cryptocurrencies in the UK are gaining momentum. In April, the government published a general regulatory draft aimed at protecting crypto investors from scams and risky investments.
On May 28, the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) launched a public consultation regarding new rules for stablecoin issuers and crypto custody providers.
Crypto adoption is rapidly increasing in the UK. According to Gemini data, the number of new crypto users in the country has seen a substantial rise over the past year, surpassing the growth rate in Europe.
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