Unlike traditional balanced funds that lock in static allocations, BOLD is built around volatility control. The product adjusts its exposure between bitcoin and gold once per month, automatically favoring whichever asset has shown lower historical price swings.
In practical terms, this means the portfolio can tilt defensively during periods of market stress and lean more heavily into bitcoin when conditions stabilize. The strategy is rules-based, removing discretionary decision-making from the process.
Key Takeaways
A new UK-listed ETP combines bitcoin and gold in one regulated product
Allocations adjust automatically based on relative volatility
The launch follows a major regulatory shift opening crypto ETPs to retail investors
Asset managers are moving beyond pure crypto exposure toward hybrid strategies
How the Product Is Structured
The ETP is physically backed rather than synthetically tracked, with underlying assets held directly in institutional-grade cold storage. It is priced in sterling, carries a 0.65% annual management fee, and is accessible through standard UK brokerage accounts.
As of mid-January, assets under management stood at just over $40 million, according to company disclosures. Performance metrics released by the issuer show a three-year Sharpe ratio of 1.79, positioning the product as a risk-adjusted alternative rather than a pure return play.
Why This Could Only Happen Now
This launch would not have been possible a year ago. In October 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority reversed a long-standing restriction that prevented retail investors from accessing crypto exchange-traded notes.
That regulatory change triggered an immediate surge in activity. Within weeks, crypto ETP trading volumes on the London Stock Exchange climbed into the hundreds of millions of dollars, placing the UK among Europe’s most active markets for regulated crypto exposure.
Asset Managers Are Testing New Formats
Following the rule change, multiple global asset managers rushed to expand retail access to crypto-linked products. Bitcoin and ether ETPs were the first wave. The introduction of a bitcoin-and-gold structure marks a second phase – one focused less on pure crypto exposure and more on portfolio construction.
By blending a high-volatility growth asset with a centuries-old hedge, issuers are effectively testing whether crypto can be positioned as part of a defensive allocation rather than a standalone speculative bet.
A Signal of Maturing Crypto Access
The arrival of BOLD suggests the UK market is moving beyond the binary question of whether retail investors should access crypto at all. The focus is shifting toward how crypto is packaged, balanced, and regulated within familiar investment frameworks.
As broader crypto rules covering trading, stablecoins, and staking continue to move through consultation, products like this may serve as a template for how digital assets are integrated into mainstream portfolios going forward.
