Standard Chartered Makes History: First Global Bank to Offer Institutional Spot Crypto Trading
Wall Street's old guard just got a crypto wake-up call.
Standard Chartered—the 160-year-old banking giant—just bulldozed into the digital asset arena with live spot trading for institutions. No more dipping toes in the water with futures or ETFs. This is direct Bitcoin and Ethereum exposure, served on a silver platter to hedge funds and asset managers.
Why it matters
Banks have spent years treating crypto like a rebellious stepchild. Now one of the world's most conservative lenders is handing institutional investors the keys to the spot market. The irony? This comes from the same financial system that once called Bitcoin 'a fraud.'
The fine print
Expect razor-thin spreads, 24/7 settlement, and custody backed by Standard Chartered's SC Ventures. The bank's playing this smart—starting with a handful of blue-chip clients before wider rollout. Because nothing says 'serious' like making hedge funds beg for access.
Bottom line
When a bank that helped build the traditional financial system starts trading crypto like it's just another asset class, the game changes. Just don't expect them to admit they're 10 years late to the party.
Standard Chartered’s new offering provides regulated, deliverable spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether. Initially launched during Asia and Europe trading hours, the bank has stated that 24/5 access is under consideration as institutional demand evolves.
This move is a first among global tier-one banks and positions Standard Chartered at the forefront of institutional crypto integration. Rene Michau, Global Head of Digital Assets at the bank, noted in a statement, “Standard Chartered is the first global systemically important bank to be offering cryptoasset trading.”
The service is aimed exclusively at institutional clients - specifically, financial institutions such as asset managers, hedge funds, and large multinational corporations that are already clients of Standard Chartered’s corporate and investment banking division.
Seamless Integration with Existing FX Infrastructure
One of the key differentiators of Standard Chartered’s crypto trading service is its integration with the bank’s existing trading platforms. This allows institutional clients to access crypto markets through familiar FX interfaces and protocols, easing the learning curve and enhancing operational efficiency.
Clients can execute trades and settle to a custodian of their choice. For those seeking additional security and regulatory assurance, Standard Chartered also offers in-house custody through its regulated digital assets custody platform.
The trades are settled on a deliverable basis, meaning clients receive the actual crypto assets rather than derivatives, futures, or ETFs. This approach is critical for institutions focused on asset ownership, treasury strategies, and long-term exposure to the underlying assets.
The new spot trading launch is not Standard Chartered’s first foray into digital assets. The bank has been actively expanding its digital finance capabilities over the past few years.
It holds strategic investments in Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, both of which are regulated crypto infrastructure providers. Zodia Custody offers secure crypto storage solutions tailored to institutions, while Zodia Markets provides digital asset trading services. These investments reflect the bank’s broader commitment to building a comprehensive institutional-grade digital asset ecosystem.
Moreover, Standard Chartered has also backed Libeara, a tokenization platform that supports the issuance and management of tokenized securities and real-world assets (RWAs). These efforts collectively position the bank as a multi-dimensional player in digital finance, far beyond a passive investor or partner.
Institutional Demand for Regulated Access
The launch of regulated spot crypto trading comes at a time when institutional appetite for digital assets is on the rise. With the approval of multiple bitcoin and Ether ETFs in the U.S., a growing number of asset managers are now seeking direct, compliant access to underlying digital assets.
Standard Chartered’s new offering provides a unique value proposition - real asset exposure through a globally trusted bank with established regulatory frameworks and robust custody options. For many institutions hesitant to use crypto-native exchanges due to concerns over security, compliance, or counterparty risk, this MOVE offers a welcome alternative.
“We’ve seen increasing interest from our institutional clients to access crypto markets in a secure and regulated environment,” said Michau. “This launch allows us to meet that demand with the same quality of service and compliance standards they’ve come to expect.”
Standard Chartered has confirmed that while the initial offering is limited to BTC and ETH spot trading, the bank is already developing a broader suite of crypto-related services.
Among the new offerings under consideration is the introduction of non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) for crypto - derivatives that allow clients to gain exposure to price movements without owning the underlying asset. This product could appeal to hedge funds and institutional traders seeking risk-hedged exposure to volatile crypto assets.
In parallel, the bank is also exploring expanded trading hours, enhanced analytics, and support for additional digital assets, depending on regulatory approval and client demand.
Industry Reactions
Standard Chartered’s entry into spot crypto trading has been met with widespread interest in both the traditional finance and digital asset communities. Analysts see the move as a clear signal that large banks are preparing to compete directly with crypto-native platforms, especially as regulatory clarity improves in key markets like the U.K., Hong Kong, and the U.S.
“This is a turning point,” noted Jason Guthrie, Head of Digital Asset Products at a European investment firm. “Standard Chartered’s involvement legitimizes spot crypto trading for institutions and will force other banks to accelerate their timelines.”
The move could also put pressure on competitors such as HSBC, JPMorgan, and Citi to launch or expand similar services. While some of these institutions have explored crypto through ETFs or tokenization pilots, none have yet offered full-scale spot trading directly to clients.
Standard Chartered’s U.K. rollout benefits from a relatively clear regulatory framework for digital assets, particularly in relation to institutional custody and AML/KYC requirements. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) continues to refine its guidance, but the U.K. remains one of the more favorable jurisdictions for regulated crypto expansion.
By choosing the U.K. as its launchpad, Standard Chartered leverages its strong regional presence and regulatory expertise to minimize risk while testing client demand. Should the offering prove successful, expansion into other jurisdictions, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, could follow.
Final thoughts
Standard Chartered’s decision to offer spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether marks a milestone in the convergence of traditional finance and crypto.
With a fully regulated, deliverable trading solution embedded in familiar infrastructure, the bank is bridging the last mile for institutions seeking direct exposure to crypto without compromising on security or compliance.
As market dynamics continue to evolve, Standard Chartered’s bold entry could set the tone for how legacy institutions participate in digital assets - safely, scalably, and strategically.
