In a landmark move for the global banking industry, Standard Chartered has unveiled deliverable spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum, making it the first systemically important global bank to enable such direct access for institutional clients.
Key Details
- Direct Crypto Trading for Institutions: The bank’s U.K. division now allows corporations, investment managers, and other institutional players to buy and sell physical Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) through familiar and regulated foreign exchange platforms.
- Full Regulatory Compliance: All trades are conducted within Standard Chartered’s established regulatory frameworks, offering institutional-grade risk oversight and allowing clients to select from trusted custody providers, including in-house options.
- Integrated Digital Asset Solutions: With this launch, Standard Chartered’s digital asset services now cover trading, custody, and upcoming derivatives like non-deliverable forwards—aimed at accommodating increasing market demand.
- Strategic Expansion: The offering initially covers Asian and European market hours, but the bank is considering extending trading to a 24/5 model based on global client interest.
- Industry First: This move positions Standard Chartered as a pioneer among global lenders, breaking barriers that have previously deterred major banks from fully engaging in the digital asset sphere.
Executive Insight
“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,” remarked Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive at Standard Chartered.
What’s Next?
- Plans are underway to expand the crypto offering, with more digital assets and trading products expected in the near future.
- The bank continues to strengthen its role in digital finance, following recent launches in digital asset custody (notably in the UAE and Luxembourg) and a broader push into crypto infrastructure.
In summary, Standard Chartered’s bold entry into institutional crypto trading markets sets a new benchmark for global banks, signaling a profound shift in traditional finance’s embrace of digital assets and offering major institutions reliable, regulated access to Bitcoin and Ethereum trading.
