Don't invest unless you're prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong.
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Risk Summary

Estimated reading time: 2 min

Due to the potential for losses, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) considers this investment to be high risk.

What are the key risks?

  • You could lose all the money you invest
  • Most investments are shares in start-up businesses or bonds issued by them. Investors in these shares or bonds often lose 100% of the money they invested, as most start-up businesses fail.
  • Checks on the businesses you are investing in, such as how well they are expected to perform, may not have been carried out by the platform you are investing through. You should do your own research before investing.

You won't get your money back quickly

  • Even if the business you invest in is successful, it will likely take several years to get your money back.
  • The most likely way to get your money back is if the business is bought by another business or lists its shares on an exchange such as the London Stock Exchange. These events are not common.
  • Start-up businesses very rarely pay you back through dividends. You should not expect to get your money back this way.
  • Some platforms may give you the opportunity to sell your investment early through a 'secondary market' or 'bulletin board', but there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket

  • Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments makes you less dependent on any one to do well. A good rule of thumb is not to invest more than 10% of your money in high-risk investments. Learn more here.

The value of your investment can be reduced

  • If your investment is shares, the percentage of the business that you own will decrease if the business issues more shares. This could mean that the value of your investment reduces, depending on how much the business grows. Most start-up businesses issue multiple rounds of shares.
  • These new shares could have additional rights that your shares don't have, such as the right to receive a fixed dividend, which could further reduce your chances of getting a return on your investment.

You are unlikely to be protected if something goes wrong

  • Protection from the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS), in relation to claims against failed regulated firms, does not cover poor investment performance. Try the FSCS investment protection checker.
  • Protection from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) does not cover poor investment performance. If you have a complaint against an FCA-regulated platform, FOS may be able to consider it. Learn more about FOS protection here.

If you are interested in learning more about how to protect yourself, visit the FCA's website here.

For further information about investment-based crowdfunding, visit the crowdfunding section of the FCA's website here.
Weekly Briefing
Matthew Robineau
· 3 min read
· Updated on

Weekly Briefing: Trump’s Tariffs, Bitcoin’s Breakthrough, Manufacturing Surge & EIS/VCT Shifts

This week’s briefing features various economic events that will be beneficial to the knowledge of investors. From global events such as Trump's tariffs and Bitcoin milestones to demand for VCT/EIS updates and recent manufacturing data.

Keep reading for more in-depth insight.

 

Trump places 30% tariff on imported goods from the EU

President Trump has announced his 30% tariff upon a wide range of goods coming in from the EU starting on August 1st. He believes that the US trade deficit is a threat to national security.

Clearly unhappy with his relationship with the EU, Mr Trump wrote in his letter “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from reciprocal”.  However, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen wants to try to resolve this dispute.

The planned retaliatory tariff on the US by the EU has currently been delayed as Ursula von der Leyen believes a “negotiated solution with the US” would be a more suitable answer.

The EU tariff will have a huge impact upon transatlantic trade. Maroš Šefčovič, the EU trade commissioner, stated it would be “almost impossible to continue”. This effect would be felt by companies not only in the US but also in the EU where they may suffer from the reduced transatlantic demand.

On the more positive side, reduced trade between the EU and the US could help to reverse post-Brexit trends and strengthen ties between the UK and various EU nations. 

 

Bitcoin achieves $120k milestone on support policy

For the first time, Bitcoin has exceeded the $120,000 mark. It is currently up more than 27% on the year, after rising more than 3% on Monday morning to break the $120,000 level.

Market analysts have suggested that the surge in price was caused by Trump’s delay of the “liberation day” trade. However, warnings of tariffs elsewhere on 1 August could put pressure on cryptocurrency in the future.

As well as this, other events such as the Genius Act will be reviewed this week as part of the “anti-crypto corruption week”.

With President Trump's cryptocurrency reserve back in March, it has slowly incentivised institutional investors to purchase the likes of Bitcoin as the digital tokens gain legitimacy. This is also a potential cause of the new record-high price.

Due to Bitcoin being highly volatile, no one really knows the next route it may take. Many believe it could reach the $130,000 mark in the near future, after a short retracement.

 

Chancellor urged to make adjustments to EIS and VCTs 

In a recent speech to City leaders, Chancellor Rachel Reeves called for a reduction in regulatory red tape to help boost domestic investment. However, industry experts have pointed out a key omission: no mention of reforming or improving the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), Seed EIS (SEIS), or Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs)—long-standing tools for backing early-stage businesses.

Mark Cunningham of Blick Rothenberg said that while retail investment tends to flow toward large, listed firms, often understandable given lower risk, it leaves smaller, high-growth UK companies with less funding. He described Reeves' silence on EIS and VCT reform as a “missed opportunity,” and suggested that increasing company and investor caps, loosening sector restrictions, and improving liquidity could help unlock more early-stage capital.

Richard Stone, CEO of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), stressed the importance of streamlining VCT rules to allow them to support a broader range of innovative businesses. He said VCTs already fund companies that struggle to secure development capital and argued that reforms could expand their impact without additional cost to the Treasury.

The AIC has submitted detailed proposals to this effect and urged Reeves to include them in her next financial statement. On a similar note, the Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA) released a policy paper on July 14, calling for higher investment limits and an extension of qualifying age limits for businesses.

VCTA chair Chris Lewis reinforced the message, saying VCTs have consistently backed ambitious UK entrepreneurs. But to remain as effective, the scheme must continually evolve. “These reforms will unlock capital for the UK’s most promising businesses... ensuring the benefits of their success are felt here at home,” he said.

 

UK manufacturing sees a significant rise across all regions

A new report reveals that manufacturing output across all English regions and devolved nations has surpassed 2019 levels for the first time, with the South West leading at 27% above pre-pandemic levels. The East of England and North West followed, with growth of 21% and 20%, respectively.

This growth, particularly in the South West and North West, is driven by the aerospace and defence sectors, which have benefited from increased airline orders and higher defence spending across Europe. The North West also saw a recovery in automotive production after the pandemic's impact.

Fhaheen Khan from Make UK noted that while the recovery varies by region, the post-COVID slump appears to be over. However, she warned of growing regional disparities in investment and growth, urging the Government to ensure more balanced development plans.

Richard Austin from BDO praised the resilience, highlighting how manufacturing bounced back despite pandemic challenges. He emphasised that continued investment in innovation, design, and skills is crucial to maintaining the UK's global manufacturing position.



Final notes

From Trump’s tariffs to Bitcoin’s record highs, an increasingly fragile UK economy, and a rebound in manufacturing, this week’s events highlight just how tightly global markets are connected. As US-EU trade tensions escalate, the UK may find new opportunities to strengthen ties with European neighbours in the aftermath of Brexit.

Bitcoin breaking past $120,000 reflects how sharply markets can respond to political signals. While it fuels optimism among crypto investors, it also reminds us how vulnerable digital assets are to geopolitical shifts. Institutional interest is growing — but so is regulatory scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves’ push to spark UK growth is under mounting pressure. The absence of EIS and VCT reform in her latest speech has not gone unnoticed. These schemes have the potential to supercharge early-stage innovation — but only if the government removes the brakes.

In such a fast-moving environment, investors need to stay one step ahead. Be ready for next week’s briefing.
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