Standard Chartered Becomes First Global Bank to Launch Bitcoin and Ethereum Spot Trading

Standard Chartered has taken a major step into the cryptocurrency space, becoming the first globally systemically important bank to offer spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) to institutional clients.

The service, initially launched via the bank’s UK operations, targets large financial institutions and multinational corporations.

New crypto offering tailored for institutions

The bank’s new trading solution is fully integrated into its existing FX infrastructure, enabling institutional clients to access digital assets through familiar interfaces. Clients can execute trades and choose between Standard Chartered’s in-house custody platform or an external provider for asset storage. The offering currently operates during Asia and Europe trading hours, with 24/5 availability under consideration as demand grows.

“We define institutional clients as financial institutions such as asset managers and investors, and large multinational companies who are clients of our corporate and investment banking division,” said Rene Michau, the bank’s global head of digital assets.

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Plans for expansion beyond BTC and ETH

While the current service is limited to spot BTC and ETH trading, Standard Chartered plans to roll out additional products, including non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) and broader crypto trading services. The move reflects the growing institutional appetite for digital assets and positions the bank as a leader among traditional financial institutions entering the crypto market.

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