Big news for UK crypto traders: IG just became the first publicly listed broker to snag an official crypto licence from the FCA. This isn’t just a regulatory box-tick—it’s a signal that crypto’s going mainstream in the UK, and IG’s betting big on it. With over 50 years in the trading game, they’re now levelling up their crypto offerings beyond what they launched back in June. Here’s what this means for you.
What This Licence Actually Does
IG Joins the FCA’s Crypto Register
The Financial Conduct Authority doesn’t hand out crypto licences lightly. Getting on their official register means IG’s met strict compliance standards—the same list that includes heavy hitters like Coinbase, Gemini, and Coinpass.
For IG customers, this unlocks some seriously useful features. You can now transfer crypto in and out of the platform (no more feeling trapped), access better pricing, and trade a wider range of digital assets. Before this, IG was piggybacking on a partnership with Uphold. Now? They’re flying solo.
Why This Matters for UK Investors
“This marks a significant step forward for IG as we continue to broaden our offering for UK investors,” said Michael Healy, IG’s UK managing director. Translation: they’re going all-in on crypto.
The licence gives IG customers more control and flexibility—two things crypto traders care about most. Plus, with the FCA’s stamp of approval, there’s an extra layer of trust that’s been missing from parts of the crypto market.
The FCA’s Push to Regulate Crypto
Building Trust in a Wild West Market
Let’s be clear—crypto’s had a reputation problem. Scams, crashes, and sketchy exchanges have spooked potential investors. The FCA’s been working overtime to change that by forcing companies to play by the rules.
IG’s licence is part of that broader effort. By ensuring only compliant firms operate in the UK, the regulator’s making crypto safer for everyday investors. And that’s good news if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for things to feel less… chaotic.
What It Means for Market Share
IG’s already a powerhouse in traditional trading. Now, with regulated crypto services, they’re positioned to grab serious market share from crypto-only platforms. Healy even thanked the FCA for their “efficient registration process”—a rare compliment in the world of financial regulation.
Expect IG to lean hard into this advantage as UK crypto adoption grows.
The Bottom Line
IG’s crypto licence isn’t just a win for them—it’s a win for UK investors who want regulated, reliable access to digital assets. With better pricing, more coins, and the ability to move crypto freely, IG’s setting a new standard for what a multi-asset platform should look like. If you’ve been curious about crypto but hesitant to dive in, IG’s FCA-backed offering might be the entry point you’ve been waiting for. Ready to explore? Check out IG’s expanded offerings and see how they stack up.
FAQ
Q1: What does IG’s FCA crypto licence allow them to do?
A: The licence lets IG offer a full suite of crypto services, including asset transfers in and out of the platform, expanded coin offerings, and more accurate pricing. It’s a major upgrade from their previous partnership model.
Q2: Is IG the only UK broker with a crypto licence?
A: IG is the first UK-listed broker to get FCA approval, but other firms like Coinbase, Gemini, and Coinpass are also on the register. The difference? IG’s a publicly traded company with decades of trading experience.
Q3: Why does FCA regulation matter for crypto investors?
A: FCA oversight means stricter compliance, better consumer protection, and less risk of scams or platform failures. It’s designed to make crypto investing safer and more trustworthy for UK residents.
Q4: Can I transfer my existing crypto to IG now?
A: Yes! One of the key benefits of the licence is that you can now move crypto assets in and out of IG’s platform, giving you more flexibility than before.
Q5: What crypto assets can I trade on IG?
A: IG hasn’t released the full list yet, but they’ve confirmed they’re expanding their range. Expect popular coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum, plus additional altcoins as they build out their offerings.
DISCLAIMER
Effective Date: 15th July 2025
The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the personal opinions of the author(s). It is not intended as financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.
We are not certified financial advisers. None of the content on this website constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial product, asset, or service. You should not rely on any information provided here to make financial decisions.
We strongly recommend that you:
- Conduct your own research and due diligence
- Consult with a qualified financial adviser or professional before making any investment or financial decisions
While we strive to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date, we make no guarantees about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of any content on this site.
By using this website, you acknowledge and agree that we are not responsible for any financial loss, damage, or decisions made based on the content presented.
MORE NEWS
Disclosure & Editorial Standards
MJBurrows is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The content on this website — including articles, calculators, and tools — is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute personal financial, investment, tax, or legal advice and does not take into account your individual circumstances, financial situation, or objectives.
Nothing on this site is a personal recommendation to buy, sell, hold, or otherwise deal in any financial product, asset, or service. You should always conduct your own research and seek advice from a qualified, FCA-regulated financial adviser before making any financial decisions.
Our calculators produce estimates based on simplified models using HMRC-published rates for the current tax year. They cannot account for every individual circumstance and should not be relied upon as exact figures. Tax rules and rates may change — verify current rates with HMRC or a qualified tax adviser.
Projections are not guarantees. Where our tools show future values (investment growth, pension projections, compound interest), these are hypothetical illustrations based on assumed growth rates. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The value of investments can go down as well as up.
Market data displayed on this site is provided by third-party sources including Twelve Data, Yahoo Finance, and CoinGecko. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of third-party data.
This content is designed for UK residents and reflects UK tax rules, thresholds, and legislation. It may not apply to other jurisdictions.
Using this website does not create a professional-client relationship of any kind. MJBurrows is not responsible for any financial loss, damage, or decision made based on the content presented. By using this site, you accept these terms.
This disclaimer may be updated from time to time without prior notice. Last reviewed: 23 April 2026.
MJBurrows is an independent UK personal finance publication, written and edited by Matthew Burrows. There is no parent company, no investor group, and no advertising sales team — decisions about what to cover and how to frame it are made by Matthew alone. Our full Editorial Policy sets out how the site operates in detail.
Commercial model. As of April 2026, MJBurrows generates no revenue. The site carries no display advertising, no affiliate links, no sponsored content, no paid product placements, and no pay-for-coverage arrangements. If this changes in future, it will be disclosed openly on the Editorial Policy page.
Sources. Articles and tools reference primary sources — HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), gov.uk, the Bank of England, the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Companies House, and UK government departmental publications (DWP, Treasury). Calculator data uses HMRC-published rates for the 2026/27 tax year. Market data (tickers, asset prices) is provided by Twelve Data, Yahoo Finance, and CoinGecko.
Verification. Every published article is fact-checked before going live. Numerical claims are traced to their primary source, quotes are checked against the original speaker or document, and calculator outputs are tested against HMRC worked examples. See our verification and accuracy policy for the full process.
Corrections. If you spot an error, please report it via the Corrections page. A three-tier severity system commits to specific response times:
- Tier 1 — Urgent (material reader harm, defamatory statements, regulatory or legal issues): acknowledged within 24 hours, page actioned within 24 hours, correction published within 48 hours of confirmation.
- Tier 2 — High (significant factual errors that misinform readers): acknowledged within 3 working days, correction published within 7 working days of confirmation.
- Tier 3 — Standard (minor factual errors, dated references, missing context): acknowledged within 7 working days, correction published at the next regular content review (within the quarter).
Significant corrections are logged on the public Corrections log.
Updates and review cadence. Calculators are reviewed at least quarterly, plus event-driven updates when HMRC publishes new rates (Budget, Autumn Statement, new tax year). Guides are reviewed at least twice a year, with major rewrites whenever underlying regulation changes. Tax-year-sensitive content is prioritised for review at the April tax-year transition.
Get in touch. For editorial enquiries — corrections, story tips, reader questions — the address is contact@mjburrows.com. The contact page is at mjburrows.com/contact. Every email is read personally by Matthew.
