On this episode of Yahoo Finance Future Focus, our host Brian McGleenon speaks with Alex Pollak, head of UK for 21Shares, about the current investor appetite for bitcoin exchange-traded funds in the US and Hong Kong, as well as the debut of bitcoin and ether exchange-traded notes (ETNs) on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).
Pollak said the listing of bitcoin and ether ETNs in London could mark a significant step towards establishing the UK as a leading crypto hub in Europe.
He also discussed how the FCA's phased approach to opening the crypto market could transform the UK's financial landscape.
Despite the potential for developing the UK's digital asset market, Pollak notes that the new ETNs are currently accessible only to professional investors.
He highlights that "the game-changer in the UK will be when the retail ban is lifted," indicating that broader access to these products is essential for the market's growth.