Yes, you can now buy ARK Innovation in the UK. The US-listed ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is still not available to most UK retail investors. Since 12 April 2024, however, ARK has offered a European version, the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF, which trades on the London Stock Exchange.
This means you no longer need a CFD to get exposure to Cathie Wood’s flagship strategy. Below we explain what the fund invests in, which version you can buy, how to buy it on eToro and other UK platforms and the risks to know first.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
What is the ARK Innovation ETF?
The ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) is an actively managed fund run by ARK Invest, the firm founded by Cathie Wood. It launched in the US on 31 October 2014. Under normal conditions, it invests at least 65% of its assets in shares of US and foreign companies linked to what ARK calls “disruptive innovation”: new technologies that could change the way the world works.
Its portfolio focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, genomics, energy storage, autonomous transport and digital payments. It holds a relatively small number of companies, so a few large positions can move the whole fund.
ARK Innovation UCITS ETF: key facts
The version UK investors can buy is the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF. It follows the same strategy as the US fund but is domiciled in Ireland and meets the European UCITS rules.
| Feature | ARK Innovation UCITS ETF |
| ISIN | IE000GA3D489 |
| London Stock Exchange tickers | ARCK (pounds) and ARKK (US dollars) |
| Ongoing charge (TER) | 0.75% a year |
| Launch date | 12 April 2024 |
| Domicile | Ireland |
| Dividends | Accumulating (reinvested) |
| Fund manager | Cathie Wood (ARK Invest) |
| ISA and SIPP | Eligible, depending on your platform |
Sources: AJ Bell, Hargreaves Lansdown and ARK Invest Europe, October 2026.
ARK also offers two other UCITS ETFs in Europe: the ARK Artificial Intelligence & Robotics UCITS ETF (ISIN IE0003A512E4) and the ARK Genomic Revolution UCITS ETF (ISIN IE000O5M6XO1).
Can you buy the US-listed ARKK in the UK?
In most cases, no. UK platforms can only sell funds to retail investors if the fund provides a key information document in the format UK rules require. US ETF providers don’t usually produce one, so UK platforms block US-listed ETFs such as ARKK for retail clients.
The UK replaced these rules with the Consumer Composite Investments (CCI) regime on 6 April 2026. Under the new regime, a fund still needs an up-to-date product summary before it can be sold to UK retail investors, and the transition runs until 7 June 2027. For now, the UCITS version is the simple way to invest in ARK Innovation from the UK.
How to buy ARK Innovation on eToro
eToro lists the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker ARKK.L, priced in US dollars. If you buy it without leverage, you own the ETF itself rather than a CFD.
- Open an account with eToro.
- Verify your identity with a photo ID and proof of address.
- Deposit at least $50 by bank transfer, debit card or another method available to you.
- Search for “ARKK.L” or “ARK Innovation UCITS” and check that the name includes “UCITS”.
- Click “Trade”, choose “Buy”, enter the amount and keep leverage at X1.
- Click “Open trade” to place the order.
eToro charges no commission on ETFs for UK clients. Other fees may apply. Because ARKK.L is priced in dollars, moving money from the GBP account to the USD account costs 0.75%. On a £1,000 investment, that is about £7.50. eToro (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA (FRN 583263).
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.
Other ways to buy ARK Innovation in the UK
The pound line (ARCK) avoids currency conversion fees when you pay in pounds. Hargreaves Lansdown and AJ Bell both list ARCK on the London Stock Exchange, and Hargreaves Lansdown lets you hold it in a Stocks and Shares ISA, a Lifetime ISA, a Junior ISA or a SIPP. Interactive Brokers also gives access to the London Stock Exchange.
Holding the ETF in an ISA means you pay no UK tax on gains when you sell. Compare dealing and account fees before you choose, using our guide to the best ETF brokers in the UK.
How has ARK Innovation performed?
ARK Innovation is one of the most volatile funds you can buy. These are the calendar-year returns of the US-listed ARKK, in US dollars, with dividends reinvested:
| Year | Return |
| 2021 | -23.4% |
| 2022 | -67.0% |
| 2023 | +69.0% |
| 2024 | +8.4% |
| 2025 | +35.5% |
Source: ChartRow, total returns of the US-listed ARKK in USD, 2021 to 2025. The UCITS version launched in April 2024, so it has no five-year record. Returns in pounds differ because of exchange rate moves.
A 67% fall means £1,000 would have dropped to about £330 in 2022. Even after a 69% gain in 2023, that £330 would only have grown to about £560. Large gains after large losses don’t bring you back to where you started.
Past performance doesn’t guarantee future results.
What are the risks of ARK Innovation?
- Concentration: the fund holds a relatively small number of growth companies, so a few holdings drive its returns.
- Active management: returns depend on ARK’s stock picks, and the 0.75% fee is much higher than a global index tracker.
- Currency risk: the fund invests mainly in US companies, so a stronger pound reduces your returns in pounds.
- Volatility: as the table shows, the fund can lose more than half its value in a single year.
If you want broad exposure at lower cost, a global or US index ETF may suit a larger part of your portfolio, with ARK as a smaller satellite holding.
What’s the difference between ETFs and CFDs?
Before the UCITS version launched, CFDs were the only way to follow ARKK from the UK. Now that you can buy the ETF itself, it helps to know how the two differ.
An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is a fund that trades on a stock exchange like a share. When you buy it, you own units of the fund, which holds the underlying shares.
A contract for difference (CFD) is a derivative. It lets you bet on the price of an asset without owning it. CFDs are usually used with leverage for short-term trading.
| Feature | ETF | CFD |
| Ownership | You own units of the fund | You own a contract with the broker, not the asset |
| Leverage | None (unless it is a leveraged ETF) | Up to 5:1 on shares and ETFs for UK retail clients |
| Ongoing costs | Fund fee (TER) | Overnight financing fees on positions held overnight |
| ISA and SIPP | Usually eligible | Not eligible |
| Taxes | Capital Gains Tax outside an ISA | Capital Gains Tax on profits |
| FSCS cover | Yes, if the platform fails (up to £85,000) | Depends on the claim. Market losses are never covered |
For a long-term holding, the ETF is usually the better fit: you avoid overnight fees and can hold it in an ISA.
Conclusion
You can’t buy the US-listed ARKK from most UK platforms, but since April 2024 you can buy the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF (ISIN IE000GA3D489) on the London Stock Exchange. It has a 0.75% ongoing charge and trades as ARCK in pounds and ARKK in dollars.
On eToro, you can buy the dollar line with no commission (other fees may apply) and a 0.75% conversion fee. If you want to hold it in an ISA or SIPP, check which platforms list the pound line. In every case, remember that ARK Innovation lost 67% in 2022 and should only be a small part of most portfolios.
When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than you invest.
FAQs
Can I buy the ARK Innovation ETF directly in the UK?
Not the US-listed ARKK, in most cases. You can buy the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF (ISIN IE000GA3D489), which follows the same strategy and trades on the London Stock Exchange as ARCK (pounds) and ARKK (dollars).
How do I buy ARK Innovation on eToro?
Open and verify an account, deposit at least $50, search for “ARKK.L” and buy it with leverage set to X1. Converting pounds to dollars costs 0.75%.
Can I hold ARK Innovation in an ISA?
Yes, the UCITS version is ISA-eligible. Hargreaves Lansdown, for example, allows it in its Stocks and Shares ISA, Lifetime ISA, Junior ISA and SIPP. Check that your platform lists it in its ISA before you buy.
How much does the ARK Innovation UCITS ETF cost?
The ongoing charge is 0.75% a year, so £1,000 invested costs about £7.50 a year in fund fees. Platform fees, dealing fees and FX fees come on top.
Is it safe to invest in ARK Innovation through eToro?
eToro (UK) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the FCA and is covered by the FSCS up to £85,000 if it fails. This protects you if the platform goes bust, not against falls in the fund’s price, which can be large.