Amundi Bitcoin ETP: Europe's Asset Manager To Launch Crypto Fund

Amundi Bitcoin ETP Launch Set to Boost UK’s Crypto Market

Amundi, Europe’s largest asset manager with over €2.3 trillion under management, is preparing to enter the Bitcoin market with its first exchange-traded product (ETP), reportedly slated for launch in early 2026. Under the new MiCA framework, the Amundi Bitcoin ETP could legitimize cryptocurrency investing for conservative European institutions.

Amundi Bitcoin ETP Launch Expected in 2026

In an astonishing turn of events, Amundi, a prominent European investment company, has revealed its plan to issue its first Bitcoin exchange-traded product in 2026. This decision is consistent with Europe’s noticeably crypto-friendly regulatory environment, and the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulatory framework has also provided fund managers with clearer rules and better protections for introducing investment products on blockchain networks.

The asset manager stated that it views entry into the crypto investment space as primarily a hedge against inflation and portfolio diversification. The company’s planned Bitcoin ETNs, as the European version of US ETFs, are set to commence trading in early 2026, and this represents a strategic move to meet increasing institutional demand for regulated exposure to cryptocurrency.

Growing Demand for Crypto ETFs

Notably, the Amundi Bitcoin ETP could be viewed as a ripple effect of the success of BlackRock’s BTC strategy. BlackRock’s IBIT ETF currently manages more than 800,000 BTC — nearly 4% of the circulating supply — valued at approximately $97 billion. Gregory Raymond, co-founder of Big Whale, noted, “After watching the BlackRock hurricane from afar for a long time, the European asset management giant is taking the plunge.”

The move also underscores the surging demand for crypto ETFs, which provide investors with direct exposure to digital asset prices. CoinShares has reported strong inflows into crypto investment products, reaching a total of $3.17 billion just last week. BTC was the dominant trend with $2.67 billion flows last week, bringing year-to-date totals to a record of $30.2 billion. February's volatility in the market has not deterred altcoin products, particularly in Ethereum, Solana, and Ripple, which also had strong flows. The arrival of Amundi to the ecosystem will likely attract other leading institutions' interest to follow them into the markets in reference to Europe.

From Restriction to Regulation

In 2021, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) imposed a ban on individuals who are not categorized as institutional investors from accessing crypto ETPs. The restriction from the FCA applies to all individuals who do not fit into the same category as banks or hedge funds, which are labeled as institutional investors.

At the time, the FCA maintained that the general public lacked sufficient understanding of cryptocurrencies and that the risks were too high. Yet, interest in digital assets continued to grow, leading investors to seek exposure through alternative means — from directly buying BTC to investing in indirect or leveraged vehicles like shares of the treasury company MicroStrategy.

In a recent development last week, the FCA reversed its approach, asserting that crypto has “become more mainstream and better understood.” From October 8, UK retail investors have finally gained access to crypto ETPs, starting with those based on BTC and Ethereum.