Standard Chartered Launches Digital Asset Trading for Institutional Clients

Standard Chartered claims to be the first global bank to offer spot trading of Bitcoin and Ether to its institutional clients with a new offering.

The bank now provides a fully integrated digital asset trading service for asset managers, institutional investors, and large multinational clients of its corporate and investment banking division.

With this launch, Standard Chartered says it has become the first global systemically important bank to offer deliverable spot cryptoasset trading to institutional clients.

The service will launch through Standard Chartered’s UK branches and will initially be available via its UK entity during Asia and European trading hours.

The trading service is fully integrated with Standard Chartered’s existing platforms, which enables institutional clients to access and trade cryptoassets through familiar FX interfaces.

Clients can also choose their preferred custodian for settlement, including Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody solutions.

For now, the focus will remain on Bitcoin and Ether spot trading. However, the bank plans to expand its services for these cryptoassets, starting with the introduction of non-deliverable forwards.

Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, said: “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."

“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.”

The move strengthens Standard Chartered’s position in crypto and digital assets, building on its custody and trading services offered through its corporate and investment bank, as well as its investments in firms like Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets. It also provides digital asset tokenization services through its portfolio company, Libeara.