Standard Chartered Bank (StanChart) has launched a new digital asset trading service that will allow its institutional clients to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (XBT/USD) and Ether (XET/USD). The move makes StanChart the first global bank to offer deliverable spot trading of crypto assets to large-scale investors such as corporates, asset managers, and institutional investors.
This latest development comes after the bank’s successful rollout of its digital asset custody service, and it forms part of its long-term plan to offer secure and efficient crypto solutions to its global clientele. The bank says this new trading service is fully integrated with its existing platforms, allowing clients to trade crypto through the same systems used for foreign exchange (FX) transactions.
In a statement released by the bank, it said: “The trading offering is fully integrated with Standard Chartered’s existing platforms, allowing institutional clients to access and trade cryptoassets through familiar FX interfaces.” The bank added that its clients will also have the flexibility to settle trades with their preferred custodians, including the bank’s own secure custody solutions for digital assets.
The crypto trading service is being run through StanChart’s UK branch, and will soon be expanded to include non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), a type of derivative contract used to hedge against volatility in crypto prices.
Standard Chartered is licensed and approved by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the regulatory body that oversees financial services and digital asset operations in the country. This means the bank’s crypto services are in full compliance with the UK’s strict financial regulations, giving institutional investors more confidence and security.
The launch comes at a time when more traditional financial institutions are beginning to embrace blockchain and crypto technologies, driven by client demand, innovation, and the growing role of digital assets in the global financial system. StanChart’s entry into the crypto trading market signals greater institutional acceptance of virtual currencies and marks a significant shift in how global banks interact with the digital economy.
By offering deliverable spot trading, Standard Chartered separates itself from other banks that typically only offer crypto exposure through derivatives. This service allows clients to directly own the underlying crypto assets, stored in a regulated and secure custody system.
Financial analysts say this move could attract major investors looking for regulated entry points into crypto markets without having to rely on unregulated exchanges or third-party platforms.
StanChart’s latest offering is expected to strengthen its position in digital finance innovation, especially among global banks. It also reinforces the growing role of London and the UK financial ecosystem as a regulated hub for crypto trading.
The bank has also been actively involved in blockchain infrastructure development, including its support for ventures like Zodia Custody, which focuses on institutional-grade crypto custody, and Zodia Markets, which is building regulated digital asset trading platforms.
Observers believe the bank’s move into live trading will help bring more trust and transparency into crypto markets, especially at a time when regulatory scrutiny of the industry continues to intensify across the globe.
As institutional interest in digital assets continues to grow, services like this could play a key role in bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain technology.
