Key Takeaways
- 21Shares is expanding into the EU with the help of France’s Société Générale.
- The partnership includes Bitcoin and Ethereum ETPs with new tickers like ABTC and AETH.
- Crypto ETPs in the EU are regulated under MiFID II and MiCA, with some regional variations.
21Shares is bringing its flagship crypto investment products to more investors in the European Union, thanks to a new partnership with Société Générale, France’s second-largest bank.
The asset manager is launching three Bitcoin (BTC) and three Ethereum (ETH) exchange-traded products (ETPs), making it easier for EU investors—especially in Germany and Eastern Europe—to gain exposure to crypto through regulated, institution-friendly platforms.
Market-Making Deal With Société Générale
The agreement will see Société Générale act as a market maker for 21Shares’ ETPs, providing over-the-counter liquidity across key fund platforms.
These platforms are used by institutions and wealth managers to trade regulated investment products.
The listed ETPs will trade under the tickers ABTC, CBTC for Bitcoin and AETH, CETH for Ethereum, among others.
Société Générale sees the partnership with 21Shares as a strategic move to improve liquidity and expand institutional access to crypto investment tools across Europe.
The bank views this collaboration as a meaningful step toward strengthening market efficiency in the digital asset space.
It also plans to use this partnership to close the gap between traditional finance and digital assets, improving access to crypto in a compliant, investor-friendly format.
A Regulatory Framework for Crypto ETPs in the EU
Crypto ETPs in the EU fall under the MiFID II financial regulation and the Prospectus Regulation, which requires issuers to disclose risk, performance, and structural information to protect investors.
Though broadly allowed across the EU, some member states have additional rules or slower adoption.
Germany and Switzerland, while not both EU members, have been more progressive in listing crypto ETPs, and are now among the largest markets for these products.
Prashant Jha is a seasoned crypto journalist based in Delhi, India, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science Engineering. Passionate about the evolving world of blockchain and cryptocurrencies, he has been a dedicated voice in the industry since 2018. Prashant’s expertise lies in regulatory reporting, where he unravels complex legal and financial developments with clarity and precision. Before joining CCN in 2024, he honed his craft at Cointelegraph, establishing himself as a trusted name in crypto journalism.
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