The bank will initially offer access only through its UK branch, with plans to add crypto forwards and tokenization services soon
Standard Chartered has launched deliverable spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum, becoming the first major global bank to directly offer this service to institutional clients.
The launch, announced on July 15, comes through its UK operations and targets corporates, asset managers, and institutional investors seeking secure, regulated access to crypto markets.
“Digital assets are a foundational element of the evolution in financial services,” said Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered.
“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.”
Through this platform, clients can execute spot transactions in BTC and ETH while choosing their preferred custodian, including Standard Chartered’s FCA-registered custody services.
The offering integrates directly into the bank’s existing FX systems, allowing large investors to manage crypto assets alongside traditional currencies.
Barclays’ exit highlights shifting strategies among major banks
Standard Chartered’s expansion stands in sharp contrast to Barclays, which recently restricted crypto purchases by its customers due to consumer protection concerns.
While Barclays steps back, Standard Chartered is positioning itself to capture rising institutional demand and establish an early lead in regulated digital asset services.
The bank’s approach builds on earlier ventures such as Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, which have already served as gateways for institutions to enter the crypto ecosystem.
UK regulatory clarity and secure custody drive institutional adoption
Recent regulatory updates in the UK have played a pivotal role in enabling Standard Chartered’s crypto push.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) now supports select crypto investment products, and the Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority has tightened oversight on banks’ exposure to digital assets.
Tony Hall, global head of trading and XVA at Standard Chartered, emphasized the importance of leveraging the bank’s existing capabilities to meet this new demand.
“We are applying our global expertise, infrastructure, and risk management frameworks that our clients trust to the digital assets space,” Hall said.
“With growing interest in regulated digital assets solutions, we are well-positioned to meet client needs while capturing the opportunities in this space.”
New crypto products and tokenization set to follow
Looking ahead, Standard Chartered plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) for crypto and expand into asset tokenization.
These new products aim to provide institutions with more sophisticated tools for risk management and diversified digital exposure.
This strategy aligns with broader market trends, as global institutions increasingly explore ways to incorporate tokenized assets into portfolios and streamline cross-border transactions.
