International bank, Standard Chartered, introduces cryptocurrency trading service for institutional clients.
In a groundbreaking move, Standard Chartered has expanded its digital asset offerings for institutional clients by launching a fully integrated cryptocurrency spot trading service for Bitcoin (XBT/USD) and Ethereum (ETH/USD) through its UK branch. This makes the bank the first global systemically important bank to offer deliverable spot cryptoasset trading directly to institutional clients, including corporates, investors, and asset managers.
The new service, registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), operates within a regulated and risk-managed environment backed by Standard Chartered’s global balance sheet, institutional-grade controls, and a highly developed trading architecture. This move aims to lower barriers for institutional clients entering the crypto market by enabling them to transact, trade, and manage digital asset risks safely, efficiently, and compliantly.
Key features of Standard Chartered’s expanded digital asset offerings include spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether, with plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) trading shortly, broadening trading instruments for institutional investors. The service is fully integrated with Standard Chartered’s existing foreign exchange (FX) trading platforms and interfaces, providing clients a familiar trading environment and streamlined access to digital assets alongside traditional FX.
Clients have the flexibility to settle trades through multiple custodians, including Standard Chartered’s own secure digital custody solutions (via its corporate and investment banking arm and through Zodia Custody, backed by Northern Trust), ensuring flexibility and security in asset custody.
Bill Winters, Group CEO at Standard Chartered, emphasized that digital assets are a foundational element for innovation, inclusion, and growth in financial services, and that the bank intends to offer clients a route to manage digital asset exposure within robust regulatory boundaries.
Tony Hall, Global Head of Trading and XVA Markets, highlighted that the bank leverages its global expertise, infrastructure, and trusted risk management frameworks to meet growing client demand for regulated digital asset solutions while capturing emerging opportunities in this space.
Standard Chartered's ventures, Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, also provide digital asset services. The bank continues to support asset tokenisation initiatives through its digital venture, Libeara. By integrating emerging asset classes into its traditional banking infrastructure, Standard Chartered positions itself as a key bridge between conventional finance and the evolving world of digital assets.
This initiative reinforces Standard Chartered’s role as a proactive participant in shaping the future of institutional digital asset engagement. The bank's strategic intent is to be at the forefront of institutional-grade digital finance, enhancing its appeal to institutional players seeking a reliable, secure, and compliant pathway into the cryptoasset market.
- Standard Chartered's new digital asset offering, which includes spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum, is uniquely positioned within the business sector, leveraging technology to provide a regulated and risk-managed environment for institutional clients.
- As the first global systemically important bank to offer deliverable spot cryptoasset trading directly to institutional clients, Standard Chartered is fostering growth in the finance industry by providing a compliant route for institutional players to manage digital asset exposure.
