Valour, a subsidiary of DeFi Technologies, has received regulatory approval to offer its Bitcoin and Ethereum staking ETPs to UK retail investors through the London Stock Exchange, starting January 26, 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Valour received approval from both the FCA and LSE to offer physically backed Bitcoin and Ethereum staking ETPs to UK retail investors.
- The products, 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking, will reflect staking yields in their net asset values.
- This marks a shift from earlier offerings limited to professional investors, expanding access to mainstream retail investors via traditional brokerage platforms.
- The move follows the FCA’s regulatory changes in October 2025 that reopened crypto ETPs to retail participants under strict requirements.
What Happened?
Valour, the ETP-focused arm of Nasdaq-listed DeFi Technologies, has secured approval from the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority and the London Stock Exchange to begin offering select yield-bearing crypto exchange-traded products to UK retail investors. The two products, Bitcoin and Ethereum physical staking ETPs will be listed on the LSE starting January 26, 2026.
Valour has secured UK regulatory approval and has begun offering select Valour ETPs to UK retail investors through the London Stock Exchange starting January 26, 2026.
— Valour (@ValourFunds) January 26, 2026
💬 “This is a major milestone for Valour and @DeFiTechGlobal as we continue expanding access to regulated… pic.twitter.com/hkU9kdiL00
Valour Opens Retail Access to Staking Crypto ETPs
This approval marks a significant milestone in bringing regulated digital asset exposure to the general investing public in the UK. While Valour had already launched these products for professional investors, the retail listing marks a strategic expansion.
- 1Valour Bitcoin Physical Staking (ISIN: GB00BRBV3124) and 1Valour Ethereum Physical Staking (ISIN: GB00BRBMZ190) are both physically backed by their respective cryptocurrencies.
- These ETPs reflect staking rewards directly into their net asset values, giving retail investors a way to benefit from blockchain validation yields through conventional brokerage accounts.
Johan Wattenström, CEO and Chairman of DeFi Technologies said:
Regulatory Shift Unlocks Market Potential
Valour’s product launch comes in the wake of a major regulatory change. In October 2025, the FCA lifted its previous ban on crypto ETPs for retail investors, a prohibition initially imposed in January 2021 due to concerns about volatility and investor protection.
Under the new rules:
- Only Bitcoin and Ethereum-based, physically backed products are permitted.
- Crypto assets must be held in cold storage with regulated custodians.
- The regulatory green light has opened the door for carefully structured, transparent crypto investment products to enter the UK retail market.
Furthermore, from April 6, 2026, crypto ETPs will shift from being classified under Stocks and Shares ISAs to Innovative Finance ISAs, affecting how they are integrated into individual savings plans.
Broader Crypto Access on the Horizon?
Although only Bitcoin and Ethereum products are currently allowed, UK regulators are working toward a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework targeted for implementation by October 25, 2027. This could lead to the approval of additional digital assets, provided they meet strict transparency, custody, and investor protection standards.
However, it’s important to note that these products are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which means investors are still exposed to issuer and market risks.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
In my experience, this is exactly the kind of regulatory evolution the crypto space needs. Opening access to yield-bearing crypto investments through regulated channels like the London Stock Exchange brings legitimacy and accessibility to average investors without throwing caution to the wind. What I find most valuable here is that the FCA is not just lifting bans blindly, but is carefully setting guardrails. By focusing on Bitcoin and Ethereum and demanding physical backing and cold storage, they’re striking a smart balance between innovation and safety. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for a sign that crypto is maturing, this is it.
