Hargreaves Lansdown Launches Bitcoin and Ethereum ETNs for High‑Net‑Worth Clients

UK’s largest investment platform, Hargreaves Lansdown (HL), has begun offering exchange‑traded notes (ETNs) that track Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) prices. The products become available to its approximately 2 million clients on 3 September 2026.

Product details and providers

HL will list nine crypto‑linked ETNs issued by firms including BlackRock’s iShares, WisdomTree, 21Shares, Invesco, CoinShares and Bitwise. Annual fees range from 0 % to 0.35 %.

Eligibility requirements

Only investors with an annual income of at least £100,000 or savings of £250,000 can purchase the notes. Prospective buyers must pass an appropriateness test and wait 24 hours before the trade is executed.

Tax implications

The launch comes after the UK’s 180‑day tax‑free window for crypto holdings in ISAs closed on 6 April 2026. Purchases made through HL must be held in taxed accounts or in a pension fund that cannot be accessed until age 55, meaning any gains will be subject to capital‑gains tax.

Investor impact

Clients who bought crypto ETNs before the April deadline can retain tax‑free status on those holdings. New buyers through HL will not enjoy the same exemption, and the platform’s offering does not provide direct ownership of the underlying cryptocurrencies.