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IG Group has made history as the first UK-listed company to offer crypto trading to retail investors. The FTSE 250 firm's move comes amidst a flurry of policy proposals aimed at

attracting digital currency investors. The trading platform now allows customers to purchase, sell and hold crypto assets, with IG Group levying a 1.49 per cent fee on each transaction, as

reported by City AM. Michael Healy, UK managing director of IG Group, hailed the development: "This is a huge moment for IG and a major milestone in the UK's crypto journey, with

retail investors now able to buy, sell and hold crypto assets with a grown-up business." Healy further highlighted the growing acceptance of digital currencies and the evolving

regulatory landscape: "Adoption is rapidly growing and with UK crypto regulation gathering steam, we want to give existing and future investors a platform where they can trade crypto

with clear and transparent fees, with a provider already used by hundreds of thousands of retail investors." The new service, launched in collaboration with crypto firm Uphold, is fully

integrated across IG Group's platform. Customers can seamlessly switch from their digital currency account to any other accounts, such as an ISA, held with IG Group. Uphold will handle

all customer transactions and supply pricing data, the firm added. Retail trading of cryptocurrencies has often encountered significant obstacles, with banks like Metro Bank and Chase UK

blocking deposits into exchanges. This makes IG Group's launch a potential game-changer in terms of accessibility. UK CRYPTO POLICY Reform UK has recently launched a campaign to attract

digital currency investors, unveiling a suite of pro-crypto policies. These include proposals to slash capital gains taxes on cryptocurrencies from 24 per cent to 10 per cent, the creation

of a "sovereign Bitcoin reserve fund," and plans for HMRC to accept tax payments in crypto. In addition, the party has started accepting contributions in bitcoin, ethereum, and

various stablecoins. On the other side of the political spectrum, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced new cryptocurrency regulations last month, aiming to bring digital tokens under mandatory

regulation by extending existing financial laws to firms engaged in the crypto sector. During her Mansion House Speech, Reeves disclosed that the comprehensive government strategy document

is set for release on July 15. LIKE THIS STORY? WHY NOT SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST BUSINESS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.