Investing and trading platform IG has been granted a cryptocurrency licence by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

The move means that the company has become the first UK-listed business to join the regulator’s cryptoasset register.

IG launched crypto trading in June through a partnership with FCA-registered firm Uphold while its own licence application was under review.

The company says that with its own FCA licence, its customers will soon be able to transfer crypto assets in and out of the IG platform and access additional features.

The licence also enables IG to expand the range of crypto assets available and deliver more accurate pricing for clients, it added.

“This marks a significant step forward for IG as we continue to broaden our offering for UK investors," said Michael Healy, UK managing director, IG. "The FCA licence not only enables us to provide a wider range of crypto services, but it also gives our customers greater flexibility and control.

"We’re excited to bring more than five decades of market experience to help shape the future of the UK’s rapidly growing crypto sector."

Following the addition of crypto this summer, IG customers can now trade stocks, indices, ETFs, FX, commodities, derivatives, and crypto assets in one place.

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