- On Tuesday, Standard Chartered launched the first major bank spot trading desk for Bitcoin and Ethereum.
- The UK-based service allows institutional clients to trade crypto through their regular FX platforms and responds to growing client demand.
- This move puts Standard Chartered ahead of other major banks still planning their digital asset strategies.
Standard Chartered has officially launched its spot trading desk for Bitcoin and Ethereum, marking a historic milestone in traditional banking’s embrace of cryptocurrency. The UK-based trading desk went live on Tuesday, positioning the global banking giant as the first major financial institution to offer direct cryptocurrency trading services to institutional clients.
The new platform enables asset managers, corporations, and institutional investors to access Bitcoin and Ether markets through their existing foreign exchange trading systems. Standard Chartered confirmed that non-deliverable forwards will be introduced soon, expanding the range of crypto trading options available to clients.
Institutional Demand Drives Crypto Integration
The bank’s move directly responds to mounting pressure from institutional clients seeking secure, regulated access to cryptocurrency. Bill Winters, Group CEO of Standard Chartered, emphasized that digital assets have become integral to modern financial market infrastructure.
“Our clients require fully compliant channels to navigate the crypto space,” Winters stated, highlighting the bank’s commitment to supporting institutional crypto adoption through regulated frameworks.
This service goes beyond the crypto custody solutions and structured products that other traditional banks have typically offered. Standard Chartered’s approach provides direct market access to Bitcoin and Ether, representing a significant advancement in institutional crypto services.
Global Crypto Strategy Expansion
The spot trading desk launch builds upon Standard Chartered’s broader digital asset strategy across multiple regions. In April 2025, the bank partnered with crypto exchange OKX and asset manager Franklin Templeton to establish a digital collateral program in Asia, creating new bridges between traditional financial instruments and the digital asset ecosystem.
Earlier this year, Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong division announced a stablecoin initiative with Animoca Brands and HKT. The partnership aims to issue a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin under Hong Kong’s new regulatory framework, pending license approval.
Standard Chartered’s entry into direct spot trading represents a significant departure from the conservative approach historically adopted by major financial institutions. While several global banks reportedly evaluate their digital asset strategies, most are in preliminary planning phases.
The new trading desk positions Standard Chartered ahead of its competitors in integrating real-time cryptocurrency trading within regulated financial systems. This development could accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets and influence other major banks to expand their crypto offerings.
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