Standard Chartered has officially launched regulated spot trading services for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH), becoming the first global systemically important bank to offer direct crypto trading to institutional clients. The service is now available through the bank’s UK branch and marks a major step in bridging traditional finance with digital asset markets.
Institutional Clients Can Now Trade BTC and ETH Directly
The service enables institutional investors, asset managers, and large corporations to trade BTC and ETH directly through familiar FX trading interfaces, with full regulatory compliance and deliverable settlement. This move positions Standard Chartered as a pioneer among traditional banks offering spot crypto products.
“Standard Chartered is the first global systemically important bank to be offering cryptoasset trading,” said Rene Michau, Global Head of Digital Assets at the bank.
Trades can be settled to a custodian of the client’s choice, including Standard Chartered’s in-house custody platform. The offering currently covers Asia and Europe trading hours, with 24/5 access expected to follow based on demand.
Expanded Digital Asset Ecosystem
Standard Chartered’s move into spot trading builds on its existing digital asset ecosystem, which includes:
- Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, where the bank holds investment stakes
- Libeara, a platform focused on tokenization of real-world assets
- Digital asset custody and structured crypto investment services for institutional clients
This comprehensive approach reflects the bank’s strategic focus on providing end-to-end solutions for institutional access to crypto.
What’s Next? BTC, ETH Derivatives in the Pipeline
While the initial launch focuses on spot BTC and ETH, Standard Chartered plans to expand its offering to include non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) — a derivatives product tailored for institutions looking to manage crypto exposure with reduced delivery risk.
This development signals growing institutional demand for compliant, bank-grade crypto access.
A New Standard for Crypto Adoption in Banking
With this launch, Standard Chartered sets a precedent for how traditional financial institutions can safely integrate digital assets into their service models. As regulatory clarity improves and institutional appetite rises, more banks may soon follow this model — but for now, Standard Chartered leads the pack.
The integration of spot crypto trading into a global bank’s infrastructure could mark a defining moment in institutional adoption.
Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.