Knowledge base
We've now covered the concepts behind Bitcoin treasury companies in real depth. This article brings things back to the practical: the actual steps involved in buying shares in Smarter Web specifically, for anyone who's already decided this is something they want to look into further.
Worth restating clearly before anything else: buying shares in The Smarter Web Company plc (ticker: SWC) is an investment in the securities of that company, not a direct investment in Bitcoin, nor a proxy or tracker for its price. A significant proportion of the company's balance sheet is held in Bitcoin, so Bitcoin's price movements are likely to affect the value of the shares, but this is a different kind of investment from owning Bitcoin directly, with its own distinct considerations.
You'll need an account with a stockbroker or investment platform that offers access to UK-listed shares, most mainstream platforms do. Worth comparing dealing fees, any account or wrapper charges, and how easy each platform is to use before settling on one.
Opening an account involves standard identity verification, as with any UK financial service, followed by transferring funds in, typically from a linked UK bank account or debit card, as covered in how share dealing works in the UK.
Most platforms offer a choice between a general dealing account, a Stocks and Shares ISA, and a SIPP for pension savings, each with different tax treatment. UK-listed shares like SWC can potentially be held within an ISA or SIPP, subject to your specific platform's own rules, worth checking this before you start, particularly if tax efficiency matters to you.
Search using the ticker SWC, or the company name. As the rebrand from The Smarter Web Company to Smarter Web is still in progress, it's worth trying both the new and legacy names if a search doesn't immediately return the right result.
You'll typically choose between a market order, which executes immediately at the current price, and a limit order, which only executes at a price you set yourself. We cover the difference properly in how share dealing works in the UK, including what happens after your order goes through.
Your shares will typically be held electronically in your platform's nominee account on your behalf, visible in your account dashboard rather than as a physical certificate. From there, it's worth keeping an eye on official company announcements to stay informed about the business going forward, rather than relying on any single article.
Company announcements, financial results and current Bitcoin holdings are published through the official regulatory news channels and the company's own investor relations pages. Always check these directly for the current position, rather than assuming any figure mentioned elsewhere in this Knowledge Base remains up to date.
Bitcoin's volatility should be treated as a material risk factor by anyone considering an investment in SWC, alongside the normal risks of investing in any publicly listed company. Nothing in this article is financial advice, and anyone considering an investment should do their own research and consider speaking to a regulated financial adviser before making any decision.
Back to topNext in knowledge base
In our next article, Why Are More UK Investors Looking at Bitcoin?, we'll zoom back out and look at the broader shift driving interest in this space.
