Standard Chartered has become the first major global bank to launch spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This groundbreaking move is rolled out through its UK subsidiary and marks a significant milestone in institutional crypto adoption.
The bank’s service enables clients to directly buy and sell the actual digital assets rather than rely on futures or derivatives.
Standard Chartered Enters the Crypto Trading Arena
Unlike indirect exposure models, this spot trading feature allows for real-time settlement and ownership of cryptocurrencies.
Institutional clients, including asset managers and corporations, can now access BTC and ETH using Standard Chartered’s existing foreign exchange trading systems. This approach offers familiarity and lowers operational barriers for institutions.
A Strategic Move in Regulated Digital Asset Integration
The bank has long been active in the digital asset space. It previously invested in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, both aimed at institutional-grade crypto services. However, this latest offering is its most direct step into the trading of cryptocurrencies.
Trades conducted through this service are “deliverable,” ensuring clients receive the actual crypto assets upon settlement. Clients can also choose where to store their assets, including through Standard Chartered’s in-house custody platform, which is registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
BREAKING:
STANDARD CHARTERED BECOMES THE FIRST BANK TO OFFER INSTITUTIONAL BITCOIN AND ETHEREUM TRADING.
BULLISH 🚀 pic.twitter.com/f3MCGwXQWI
— Ash Crypto (@Ashcryptoreal) July 15, 2025
At present, trading is available during European and Asian market hours. Depending on client demand, the service could expand to offer 24/5 availability. The bank is also preparing to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) for Bitcoin and Ethereum to enhance institutional risk management.
Standard Chartered’s Growing Crypto Ambitions
This initiative is part of Standard Chartered’s broader push into digital assets. Earlier this year, the bank launched a regulated crypto custody entity in Luxembourg. Additionally, it collaborated with Animoca Brands and HKT to develop a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin.
The strategy to provide direct crypto spot trading separates Standard Chartered among other competitors such as JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs. Such competitors have restricted themselves to providing indirect exposure (in the form of funds or structured products). Experts stated that the aggressive action by Standard Chartered could be an indication that there is increasingly greater institutional comfort with regulated access to crypto.
Geoffrey Kendrick, Head of FX and Digital Assets Research at the bank, noted that client demand for secure digital asset access is accelerating. Bill Winters, the bank’s Group Chief Executive, also emphasized Standard Chartered’s commitment to delivering trusted digital asset services for institutional clients.
This launch brings Standard Chartered to combine traditional finance with blockchain technology to provide the safe direction in which institutional clients can engage in the fast-changing world of digital assets.
