IG launches cryptocurrency trading for retail investors

Is IG good for cryptocurrency investing?

IG Group is the first FTSE-listed UK company to offer cryptocurrency trading to retail investors, as it launched its highly anticipated crypto product on 1st June 2025. The interim solution, developed in partnership with crypto platform Uphold, allows users to trade 38 of the top cryptocurrencies directly within IG’s multi-asset platform.

How do you trade crypto on IG?

To trade crypto on IG, just go to your dashboard that lists your share dealing, CFD, spread betting and MT4 accounts. At the bottom is a section labled “Crypto”. You then have to go confirm that you are either a high net worth investor, or at least only planning on investing a small portion of your net worth. Once confirmed, you’ll also have to take a quiz proving that you understand the risks involved in cryptocurrencies. There are seven questions and you only get two chances, so if you fail twic,e your account is put on hold.

The launch comes ahead of IG’s full FCA licensing ambitions, expected to be realised in the 2026 financial year. A soft rollout to existing clients via CRM channels begins this month, ahead of the broader public campaign.

This move marks a significant development in the UK’s regulated investment landscape, blending IG’s reputation for security and transparency with the increasing demand for access to digital assets. The offering features competitive pricing at 75 basis points and aims to appeal to financially literate, security-conscious investors.

“We see this as a bridge to full crypto integration,” said a representative for IG. “By combining the reliability of a FTSE 250 company with crypto access, we’re offering something few others can: peace of mind.”

The product allows seamless trading across shares, forex, and crypto within a single account, and leverages IG’s existing infrastructure and regulatory standing to provide a more robust entry point into digital assets.

IG’s entry into the crypto market is expected to shake up the competitive landscape, particularly among traditional brokers yet to offer crypto access in a fully integrated environment.

The launch also raises interesting questions for how crypto promotions are handled under FCA regulations, particularly when marketing character limits may restrict the inclusion of standardised risk warnings.

What does IG’s crypto trading platform look like?

It’s the same look and feel as the usual IG platform, but keep in mind that when you open an account, you’ll be in a  “cooling off period”. This is a requirement from the FCA to ensure that you’ve not got overexcited by spivvy crypto bros on social media, before you enter the wild west of cryptocurrency investing.

Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.

Is IG good for cryptocurrency trading?

Yes, IG is good for trading cryptocurrency CFDs if you have a professional trading account. In fact they were one of the first online trading platforms to introduce a cryptocurrency index where you can speculate on the top ten cryptocurrencies in one go, almost like a precursor to a Bitcoin or crypto ETFs.

IG recently stated in their interim results that they hold of £65m of cryptocurrency assets on cryptocurrency exchanges and in vaults.

The rise of Bitcoin has led to a wave of new crypto-based products, such as the Cryptocurrency Index. When an asset class exhibits impressive relative strength, it attracts attention and interest. Capital swiftly follows. Bitcoin’s rather large rally further whips up bullish sentiment. Those who missed the previous Bitcoin boom may be keen to participate in the next one.

With interest growing, Crypto-based indices could be a good way to gain exposure to the market. Lately, several spread-betting firms have been getting on the act on this aspect.

A crypto index is based on a basket of coins. Depending on the weighting of each coin, the index will fluctuate according to the  underlying constituents. For many traders, gaining exposure to a basket of coins is more preferable to buying just one single coin – simply because not all coins will move at the same rate.

IG Index, for example, provided a Crypto 10 Index to help its customers to bet on a diversified array of crypto coins. According to its website, IG’s Crypto 10 Index is based on the largest ten cryptocurrencies. The index is calculated and maintained by BITA GmbH.

Below, you can see a snapshot of the Index on IG’s website. The buy-sell spread is around 40 points, and margin around 50% (retail).

According to BITA’s website, Bitcoin and Ethereum made up around 50% of this Crypto 10 Index.