Tax Planning
ISA Rules for Long-Term Asset Funds & Crypto Notes: New Qualifying Investments From April 2026
As of 6 April 2026, Long-Term Asset Funds become eligible for Stocks & Shares ISAs and cryptoasset ETNs are restricted to Innovative Finance ISAs—what you need to know.
By NomadicTax Research Team • 5-8 min read • June 13, 2026
## What’s Changed for ISA Investments
From **6 April 2026**, two major amendments affect which assets can go into which ISA wrappers:
- **Long-Term Asset Funds (LTAFs)** are now **qualifying investments** for **Stocks & Shares ISAs** and **Junior ISAs**, rather than only being eligible under Innovative Finance ISAs (IFISAs). ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/amendment-to-individual-savings-account-regulations-2026/individual-savings-account-amendment-regulation-2026?utm_source=openai))
- **Cryptoasset Exchange Traded Notes (cETNs)** have been **restricted to IFISAs** only. Any existing holdings of cETNs in Stocks & Shares ISAs are “grandfathered”—you can keep them but not add new ones to that wrapper. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/amendment-to-individual-savings-account-regulations-2026/individual-savings-account-amendment-regulation-2026?utm_source=openai))
## New ISA Manager Reporting & Compliance Regime
ISA managers also face changes:
- Updated requirements for **reporting of assets**, now distinguishing LTAFs and cETNs. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/amendment-to-individual-savings-account-regulations-2026/individual-savings-account-amendment-regulation-2026?utm_source=openai))
- A new “compliance package” **from April 2028**, with a suspension power introduced earlier in **April 2027** for serious regulatory breaches. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-free-savings-newsletter-21/tax-free-savings-newsletter-21-june-2026?utm_source=openai))
- Minor breaches (e.g. late transfers) will have **minimal penalties** (around £1 per account per year). Serious breaches—such as holding ineligible investments—can lead to suspension of new subscriptions or transfers. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tax-free-savings-newsletter-21/tax-free-savings-newsletter-21-june-2026?utm_source=openai))
## Implications for Investors & Managers
- **Investors**: If you hold an LTAF, you can now include it in a Stocks & Shares ISA; for cETNs you may need to move them into an IFISA or retain existing wrapper only. 💡 Consider whether the ISA you have matches your investment goals and risk profile.
- **ISA Managers**: Ensure systems classify LTAFs and cETNs properly. Update your ISA manager guidance and reporting systems before regulatory deadlines.
## Sample Scenarios
| Situation | Before 6 April 2026 | After 6 April 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Investor wants exposure to LTAFs via Stocks & Shares ISA | Not permitted; must use IFISA | Permitted under Stocks & Shares ISA or Junior ISA |
| New purchase of cETNs in a Stocks & Shares ISA | Permitted until 6 April 2026 | Restricted—new purchases must go via IFISA |
| Holding of cETNs in Stocks & Shares ISA pre-April 2026 | Allowed to remain (“grandfathered”) | Still allowed but no new ones or transfers into that wrapper |
## Action Steps
- Review your current ISA portfolios for any mismatched cETNs or LTAFs.
- If advising clients, examine what’s best based on liquidity, tax treatment, and flexibility.
- For ISA managers: ASAs, reporting tools, and compliance policies must be updated now—establish internal workflows to catch breaches early.
**Bottom line**: These ISA changes offer more flexibility for long-term funds and stricter segregation of crypto notes. Adjust investments or advice to ensure best fit under the new rules.