Key Takeaways
- • IG (LSE: IGG), a London-listed FTSE 100 broker, has eliminated trading commissions on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana for UK clients, charging only a 0.07% external exchange fee effective June 1, 2026.
- • The commission reduction applies exclusively to IG's three most-traded cryptocurrency tokens; all other digital assets on the platform remain subject to the standard 1.49% fee structure established when spot crypto trading launched in June 2025.
- • IG's cryptocurrency offering operates through a partnership with Uphold, which handles pricing and custody, positioning the broker to compete directly against UK-based crypto rivals in the retail trading segment.
- • The move represents IG's expansion of its broader commission-free trading strategy, which already covers stocks, ETFs, and funds across tax-advantaged accounts (ISAs, SIPPs) and general investment accounts.
- • IG's crypto unit currently sits outside the UK's main consumer protection schemes, a regulatory positioning that distinguishes it from traditional brokerage services offered by the same firm.
Summary
IG has eliminated trading commissions on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana for UK retail clients, a strategic pricing adjustment announced on June 1, 2026, that reduces customer costs to only the 0.07% external exchange fee charged by its liquidity partner. The change marks IG's entry into the competitive pricing warfare that has characterized retail investment markets over the past decade, following the firm's introduction of commission-free equity and fund trading.
The three cryptocurrencies targeted by the fee reduction represent IG's most actively traded digital assets on its platform. All other tokens in IG's expanded cryptocurrency offering—now exceeding 100 digital assets following a recent expansion—continue to carry the 1.49% flat-rate fee structure that has been in place since the spot crypto service launched in June 2025. This tiered pricing approach allows IG to position its flagship assets competitively while maintaining revenue from lower-volume cryptocurrency trades.
IG's cryptocurrency business operates through a partnership with Uphold, a digital asset platform that manages pricing, settlement, and custody arrangements. Michael Healy, IG UK and Ireland Managing Director, framed the commission reduction as consistent with the firm's value proposition, stating that "investors shouldn't have to choose between value and trust when buying crypto." The firm published a comparative cost analysis showing that purchasing £100 of Bitcoin through IG incurs no commission or spread charges, reinforcing its competitive positioning against rival platforms.
A critical regulatory distinction remains: IG's cryptocurrency unit operates outside the UK's primary consumer protection frameworks that govern its traditional brokerage operations. This regulatory positioning reflects the nascent regulatory environment surrounding retail cryptocurrency trading in the UK and represents a material difference from the protections afforded to equity and fund trading customers.
The three cryptocurrencies targeted by the fee reduction represent IG's most actively traded digital assets on its platform. All other tokens in IG's expanded cryptocurrency offering—now exceeding 100 digital assets following a recent expansion—continue to carry the 1.49% flat-rate fee structure that has been in place since the spot crypto service launched in June 2025. This tiered pricing approach allows IG to position its flagship assets competitively while maintaining revenue from lower-volume cryptocurrency trades.
IG's cryptocurrency business operates through a partnership with Uphold, a digital asset platform that manages pricing, settlement, and custody arrangements. Michael Healy, IG UK and Ireland Managing Director, framed the commission reduction as consistent with the firm's value proposition, stating that "investors shouldn't have to choose between value and trust when buying crypto." The firm published a comparative cost analysis showing that purchasing £100 of Bitcoin through IG incurs no commission or spread charges, reinforcing its competitive positioning against rival platforms.
A critical regulatory distinction remains: IG's cryptocurrency unit operates outside the UK's primary consumer protection frameworks that govern its traditional brokerage operations. This regulatory positioning reflects the nascent regulatory environment surrounding retail cryptocurrency trading in the UK and represents a material difference from the protections afforded to equity and fund trading customers.
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