Standard Chartered has launched spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients, claiming to be the ‘first global systemically important bank’ to do so.
The new trading service is fully integrated into the bank’s existing infrastructure, allowing institutional clients to access crypto markets through familiar foreign exchange (FX) interfaces. Settlement can be made via a custodian of the client’s choice, including Standard Chartered’s own regulated digital asset custody service.
The move follows growing institutional demand for regulated access to cryptoassets, particularly from corporates, asset managers and professional investors. The bank, which is registered with the UK Financial Conduct Authority as a cryptoasset service provider, says it aims to offer secure, scalable and compliant exposure to digital assets as part of its broader push into tokenisation and blockchain-based financial services.
Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, said: “Digital assets are a foundational element of the evolution in financial services. They’re integral to enabling new pathways for innovation, greater inclusion and growth across the industry. As client demand accelerates further, we want to offer clients a route to transact, trade and manage digital asset risk safely and efficiently within regulatory requirements.”
While Tony Hall, global head of trading and XVA, markets, at Standard Chartered, also added: “We are applying our global expertise, infrastructure and risk management frameworks that our clients trust to the digital assets space. With growing interest in regulated digital assets solutions, we are well positioned to meet client needs while capturing the opportunities in this space.”
By offering crypto trading within its regulated banking framework, Standard Chartered aims to lower entry barriers for institutional clients seeking exposure to digital assets. The launch builds on the bank’s broader digital asset strategy, which includes custody and trading services through its corporate and investment Bank, as well as affiliated ventures such as Zodia Custody, Zodia Markets and the tokenisation platform Libeara.
