Standard Chartered Goes All-In: Institutional Bitcoin & Ethereum Trading Launches in UK

Big banks finally wake up to crypto—just as retail traders get priced out.

Standard Chartered, the UK’s financial dinosaur-turned-reluctant-crypto-pioneer, just flipped the switch on institutional Bitcoin and Ethereum trading. No more hiding behind ‘blockchain research’ reports—this is real money moving on-chain.

Why now?
Probably because every hedge fund client demanded it after missing the 2024 bull run. The bank’s compliance team must’ve cried into their spreadsheets for weeks.

The fine print:
Expect ‘select clients only’ (translation: whales who won’t sue when volatility hits). Minimum trade sizes? Definitely not for the Robinhood crowd.

One cynical take: Nothing legitimizes crypto faster than a 160-year-old bank trying to scrape fees from an asset class that was designed to bypass… well, them.

Institutional Access to Secure Digital Asset Trading

Through its UK division, Standard Chartered is directly addressing requests from large investors for secure, compliant, and efficient digital asset solutions. 

This new platform enables corporate and institutional investors to trade Bitcoin and ethereum in the spot market, backed by settlement solutions that comply with the UK’s regulatory environment. Delivered via a dedicated UK subsidiary, the service demonstrates both rising client demand and the bank’s determination to connect digital assets with traditional financial products.

The move shows that traditional banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines. By stepping into crypto trading, they’re signaling that digital assets are no longer just for niche players.

““Digital assets are a foundational element of the evolution in financial services… 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,” said Bill Winters, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered.

With trading integrated into Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure, clients benefit from custody and settlement options that align with institutional standards. The bank’s custodial solutions offer secure asset storage, already active in markets such as the UAE.

Meanwhile, Standard Chartered’s move to launch crypto spot trading contrasts sharply with Barclays’ recent decision to restrict crypto purchases. The banking giant plans to block customers from buying digital assets with debit cards, citing concerns over consumer risk.

Shifting UK Regulations and Enhanced Risk Controls

This service launch closely follows recent changes in UK crypto regulations. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) now supports certain crypto investment products, including exchange-traded notes. This points to a more mature regulatory environment.

The Bank of England’s Prudential Regulation Authority has also intensified its supervision of banks’ cryptocurrency and tokenized asset exposure.

Looking to the future, Standard Chartered’s initiative signals a wider shift as global banks expand digital asset services. The bank has already indicated plans to explore non-deliverable crypto forwards and asset tokenization, reinforcing its drive for ongoing innovation.

These advancements could pave the way for new financial products tailored to institutional needs.