No, you can’t buy cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ether directly on Hargreaves Lansdown. Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) is a UK investment platform founded in Bristol in 1981, with around two million clients. It offers shares, funds, ETFs and investment trusts, and since 3 September 2026 it has offered a small range of Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded notes (ETNs) to eligible clients. You don’t own any crypto through these.
If you want to own crypto directly, you need a crypto platform registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). These are three alternatives for UK investors:
- eToro: buy crypto, shares and ETFs in one app, with CopyTrader.
- Coinbase: one of the largest crypto exchanges, with hundreds of cryptoassets.
- Kraken: a crypto exchange with a simple app and a lower-cost Pro platform.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Can you buy crypto on Hargreaves Lansdown?
Not directly. HL doesn’t offer crypto trading or a crypto wallet. Since 3 September 2026, it has offered nine Bitcoin and Ether ETNs through its Advanced Investing service, from issuers such as iShares, WisdomTree, 21Shares, Invesco, CoinShares and Bitwise, with annual charges from 0% to 0.35%.
There are strict conditions:
- Eligibility: you must certify as a restricted investor (keeping high-risk investments below 10% of your net assets) or a high-net-worth investor, and pass an appropriateness test.
- Cooling-off: new buyers must wait 24 hours before they can trade.
- Accounts: the ETNs can be held in a Fund and Share Account or a SIPP, but not in a Stocks and Shares ISA.
HL itself still says Bitcoin is not an asset class. Hargreaves Lansdown is authorised and regulated by the FCA, and eligible investments are protected by the FSCS up to £85,000 if HL fails. This doesn’t cover investment losses.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
Crypto ETNs: the indirect route
Since 8 October 2025, the FCA has allowed UK retail investors to buy crypto exchange-traded notes (ETNs) listed on a recognised UK exchange. An ETN is a debt security that tracks the price of a cryptoasset such as Bitcoin. You don’t own the crypto, the issuer’s annual fee reduces your return and the ETN is only as safe as the issuer. Crypto ETNs are classed as high-risk investments, so platforms must check that they are appropriate for you before you can buy.
There is also a tax catch. From April 2026, crypto ETNs can no longer be bought in a Stocks and Shares ISA. They can only go in an Innovative Finance ISA, which few platforms offer. Existing ISA holdings can stay.
Alternatives for buying crypto in the UK
| Platform | Main crypto fee | FCA crypto registration | Other products |
| eToro | 1% to buy and 1% to sell | eToro (UK) Ltd (FRN 583263) | Shares, ETFs, ISA, CopyTrader, CFDs |
| Coinbase | Spread plus fee (lower on Advanced Trade) | Registered since 2025 | Crypto only |
| Kraken | 1% instant buy. Pro from 0.40% maker and 0.80% taker | Payward Ltd (FRN 928768) | Crypto only |
Sources: eToro, Coinbase and Kraken, October 2026. Spreads and payment fees may also apply.
FCA registration for crypto covers anti-money laundering rules only. It doesn’t mean the FCA supervises these crypto services, and crypto isn’t covered by the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). A full UK regime for crypto firms opens for applications on 30 September 2026 and takes effect on 25 October 2027.
1. eToro
Pros:
- Crypto, shares and ETFs in one app
- GBP account with free withdrawals
- CopyTrader and a demo account with $100,000 in virtual funds
Cons:
- 1% fee on every crypto buy and sell
- 2% fee to transfer crypto off the platform
eToro was founded in 2007 and its parent company has been listed on Nasdaq since May 2025. UK clients use eToro (UK) Ltd, which is authorised by the FCA for its investment services and registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm. The minimum first deposit is $50.
Crypto costs 1% when you buy and 1% when you sell, with lower fees for higher Club tiers. If you want to move crypto to your own wallet, eToro charges 2%. Selling crypto for pounds through the eToro crypto wallet costs between 0.6% and 1%. UK clients can hold a GBP account with no fee on pound deposits or withdrawals, and eToro has had no inactivity fee since 28 May 2026.
You can also use CopyTrader to copy other investors from $200 per trader, and buy shares and ETFs with no commission. Other fees may apply. For more detail, see our eToro review.
CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 52% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
2. Coinbase
Pros:
- Hundreds of cryptoassets
- Free GBP deposits
- Advanced Trade with lower, volume-based fees
Cons:
- Simple buys cost more than Advanced Trade
- Crypto only: no shares or ETFs
Coinbase was founded in 2012 and is one of the largest crypto exchanges in the world. It is listed on Nasdaq, and in 2025 it registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm in the UK.
UK users can buy, sell and manage hundreds of cryptoassets, and GBP deposits are free. The simple buy option is the easiest way to start, but its costs include a spread and a fee. Advanced Trade (which replaced Coinbase Pro) has lower, volume-based fees. Coinbase One, a paid membership, removes trading fees on many trades. You can protect your account with two-factor authentication and store crypto in the separate Coinbase Wallet app if you want to hold your own keys.
3. Kraken
Pros:
- Kraken Pro fees from 0.40% (maker) and 0.80% (taker)
- FCA-registered UK company for crypto and an FCA-authorised e-money company
- Simple app plus a Pro platform for active traders
Cons:
- 1% fee on instant buys in the app (1.5% on custom orders)
- Crypto only: no shares or ETFs
Kraken was founded in 2011 and is one of the longest-running crypto exchanges. In the UK, its crypto services are provided by Payward Limited, registered with the FCA as a cryptoasset firm (FRN 928768). Its e-money services are provided by Payward Services Limited, an FCA-authorised electronic money institution (FRN 1010381).
The Kraken app charges 1% on instant and recurring trades, and 1.5% on custom orders. Kraken+ members pay no trading fee on up to $10,000 of monthly volume in major currencies, although spreads still apply. On Kraken Pro, fees start at 0.40% for maker orders and 0.80% for taker orders, and fall as your 30-day volume grows.
What about Binance?
Binance used to be a popular choice in the UK, but it stopped accepting new UK customers in 2023 after the UK tightened its rules on crypto promotions. The FCA had already restricted Binance’s UK company from carrying out regulated activities in 2021. Binance has said it plans to apply under the new UK crypto regime, but until it is authorised, we don’t recommend it to UK readers.
How we chose these Hargreaves Lansdown crypto alternatives
- FCA registration: each platform has a UK company registered with the FCA for crypto. Check the FCA register before you sign up anywhere, and be wary of firms that contact you first.
- Fees: crypto fees vary a lot. On £1,000, a 1% fee costs £10 to buy and another £10 to sell, while a 0.40% fee costs £4.
- Ease of use: all three have simple apps for beginners. Coinbase and Kraken also have lower-cost platforms for more active traders.
- Security: all three offer two-factor authentication. If you hold a large amount, consider moving it to a wallet you control, and keep your recovery phrase offline.
Conclusion
Hargreaves Lansdown doesn’t let you buy cryptoassets directly. Since September 2026 it has offered nine Bitcoin and Ether ETNs to eligible clients, outside the ISA and after a 24-hour cooling-off period. If you want to own crypto, use an FCA-registered platform. eToro suits you if you want crypto alongside shares, ETFs and CopyTrader, with a 1% fee each way. Coinbase offers hundreds of cryptoassets and lower fees on Advanced Trade. Kraken Pro has fees from 0.40%.
Crypto is high risk and very volatile. Only invest money you can afford to lose.
FAQs
What is Hargreaves Lansdown?
A UK investment platform founded in Bristol in 1981. It offers shares, funds, ETFs and investment trusts through a Fund and Share Account, Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP.
Does Hargreaves Lansdown offer cryptocurrency?
Not directly. Since September 2026, eligible clients can buy nine Bitcoin and Ether ETNs, but not the cryptoassets themselves.
Can I hold crypto ETNs in an HL ISA?
No. HL’s crypto ETNs can be held in a Fund and Share Account or a SIPP, but not in a Stocks and Shares ISA.
Is Hargreaves Lansdown regulated?
Yes. Hargreaves Lansdown is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Client money is held on trust at UK banks, and investments are held in a nominee company.
What are the best Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives?
It depends on what you need. Compare platforms in our guide to Hargreaves Lansdown alternatives.
Is crypto protected by the FSCS?
No. Crypto isn’t covered by the FSCS or the Financial Ombudsman Service, even on an FCA-registered platform. If the platform fails or you’re scammed, you may lose everything.
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