The Treasury has been examining the limit this year, sparking a fierce debate over whether it should scale back tax breaks on the popular savings accounts to encourage a shift from cash into stock market-based investments in particular, British companies. Reeves has talked about striking a balance between the amounts people can put into cash or shares, and wanting to create more of a culture in the UK of retail investing like you have in the US.
Undoubtedly, you really can't blame new, smaller retail investors for forgoing the names with high share prices, even if one can technically afford to buy a single share or two. Personally, I think it's a matter of convenience for the retail crowd, and such splits, I think, are a move that's retail-friendly and could draw further inflows into a stock.
Starting today, firms can offer retail investors exposure to bitcoin and other cryptoassets through ETNs traded on FCA-approved investment exchanges such as the London Stock Exchange or Cboe UK. The change came into effect today after months of consultation and signals a more open - though still cautious - regulatory stance toward crypto. "Since we restricted retail access to cETNs, the market has evolved, and products have become more mainstream and better understood," said David Geale, executive director of payments and digital finance at the FCA.
We designed it this way, almost entirely institutionally backed, because, as I have learned, these vehicles are not ideal for most retail investors. They are for investors who can underwrite the volatility, place it as part of a broader structured portfolio and have the capital to support the company over the long run.
"For too long, investing in Bitcoin has felt like an exclusive club, out of reach for the general public with very high transaction costs," Haji-Ioannou told in an interview. "This isn't just about technology; it's about financial empowerment and making Bitcoin a practical investment option for all."
JPMorgan research shows Gen Z-particularly men-have driven a surge in retail investing since the pandemic, with participation among 25-year-olds jumping from 6% in 2015 to 37% in 2024. While gaps by gender and income persist, the bank said financial education will be crucial as more first-time investors face the realities of taxes, volatility, and losses. Over the past decade retail investors have become a force to be reckoned with, proving they have the strength in numbers to outplay Wall Street professionals.
Lightyear announces a $23 million Series B investment round to enhance retail investing in the UK and unveils new AI-driven market intelligence tools.
