Standard Chartered has made a significant move in the banking sector by launching spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it the first globally systemically important bank to offer deliverable spot cryptoasset trading to institutional clients. This new service is designed specifically for corporates, investors, and asset managers, providing them with direct access to digital assets through the bank’s established trading platforms.
The new offering operates from Standard Chartered’s UK branch and is fully integrated with its existing foreign exchange infrastructure. Clients can now access and trade leading cryptocurrencies alongside traditional currencies, using familiar platforms and with settlements made to custodians of their choice. Standard Chartered also has plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards for cryptocurrencies in the near future, further broadening its digital asset services portfolio.
A key aspect of the launch is the bank’s focus on regulatory compliance and robust risk management. Standard Chartered is registered as a crypto asset service provider with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority, ensuring that its solutions meet the highest standards of risk control and client protection.
Standard Chartered’s entry into spot crypto trading reflects the growing acceptance of digital assets within the global financial system. With cryptocurrencies reaching a market capitalization of over $4 trillion and increasing institutional interest, the bank’s move is both timely and strategic. Industry leaders at Standard Chartered highlight the role of digital assets as a foundational element in the evolution of financial services, promising greater innovation, inclusion, and growth across the sector.
This initiative is the latest in a series of digital asset innovations by Standard Chartered, which already offers custody and trading solutions through its subsidiaries. By leveraging its global expertise and infrastructure, the bank aims to meet the rising demand for regulated digital asset solutions and position itself at the forefront of financial innovation.