Hargreaves Lansdown Reverses Course and Adds Bitcoin ETNs

British financial giant Hargreaves Lansdown has changed its tune on digital assets. The firm now allows retail investors to buy bitcoin and other crypto exchange traded notes through its platform. This is a massive turnaround for the Bristol based company, which manages nearly £173 billion in client assets and serves about 2 million people.

Just last year, the firm warned customers away from crypto. At the time, company representatives stated that bitcoin was too volatile and should not be considered a real asset class for growth or income. Now, investors can access crypto ETNs directly, though the company still reminds users that these products carry high risks and price swings.

This shift mirrors a broader trend across traditional finance. Back in 2024, United States regulators approved spot bitcoin exchange traded funds after years of resistance. Those funds quickly became some of the most successful product launches in history, pulling in over $100 billion from major players like BlackRock and Fidelity.

Traders should watch to see if other major UK wealth managers follow this lead. As traditional financial gatekeepers open the door to digital assets, retail access to bitcoin continues to expand across Europe.