Standard Chartered Enters Crypto Trading With Bitcoin Ethereum Service

Standard Chartered, a prominent multinational bank, has made a significant move by introducing a new trading service that allows institutional clients to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum. This initiative marks the bank's entry into the cryptocurrency trading space and highlights the increasing acceptance of digital assets within the global financial industry. The service is initially available during European and Asian trading hours and is fully integrated with the bank’s existing foreign exchange (FX) systems. This integration enables clients to access crypto markets through familiar interfaces, making the transition to digital asset trading more seamless.

The new service offers multiple custodial options, including Standard Chartered’s in-house solution and Zodia Custody, an affiliated provider. This flexibility ensures that clients can choose the custodial service that best fits their needs and risk management strategies. The bank has plans to expand the service to 24/5 availability as demand grows, indicating a commitment to supporting the evolving needs of its institutional clients.

This launch builds on recent regulatory approvals in the UAE and Luxembourg, where Standard Chartered has already introduced crypto custody services. The bank's move into spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum positions it as one of the few traditional banks offering regulated, direct crypto trading at scale. This development follows years of experimentation with blockchain and tokenized assets, demonstrating the bank's strategic focus on integrating digital assets into its financial services.

While the offering is currently limited to institutional players, the bank has plans to expand it with crypto derivatives, starting with non-deliverable forwards. A spokesperson confirmed that there are no immediate plans to target retail users, suggesting that the bank is focusing on building a robust institutional framework before considering broader market entry.

The launch of this service is a significant step for Standard Chartered, as it positions the bank as a leader in the traditional finance (TradFi) sector's adoption of cryptocurrencies. By offering regulated, direct crypto trading, Standard Chartered is not only meeting the growing demand from institutional clients but also setting a precedent for other traditional banks to follow. This move underscores the bank's commitment to innovation and its readiness to adapt to the changing landscape of global finance.