A regulated bitcoin ETF is now available through a UK platform's internal funds, offering indirect exposure without direct ownership

Investors using Hansard’s Ascend and Future Focus products can now gain exposure to bitcoin’s price movements without holding or managing digital assets directly. The new offering, the Hansard International iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF from BlackRock, is a regulated ETF with 100% allocation to Bitcoin. It is structured to reflect the performance of the bitcoin price, not through direct ownership or trading on digital asset exchanges, but via a traditional fund wrapper. This allows investors to access bitcoin’s returns within a regulated, familiar vehicle. The ETF is part of Hansard’s Unit-linked Fund and expands its range of low-cost ETF-linked internal funds. According to a Hansard spokesperson, the launch responds to evolving market opportunities and client demand, broadening investment choice while maintaining platform compatibility. Investors now have a mechanism to include bitcoin in their portfolios without navigating custody, security, or exchange risks associated with direct ownership.