Standard Chartered Launches Direct Bitcoin Ethereum Spot Trading for Institutions

Standard Chartered has made a significant move by becoming the first internationally recognized financial institution to offer direct spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This initiative positions the UK-based bank at the forefront of integrating regulated digital assets within traditional finance.

The new service is designed to cater to institutional clients, including asset managers, corporations, and large investors. These clients will be able to trade BTC and ETH directly using the bank's established FX trading interfaces. The trades are "deliverable," meaning customers will receive actual crypto assets upon settlement, rather than mere exposure via derivatives. Additionally, users have the flexibility to choose their own custodian, including Standard Chartered’s in-house service.

Initially, the offering will be available during Asian and European trading hours. The bank plans to expand access to 24/5 based on potential demand. Furthermore, Standard Chartered intends to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) trading for the two largest crypto assets by market cap, providing additional risk management tools as institutional interest in digital assets grows.

Traditional banks are under increasing pressure to bridge the gap between legacy finance and crypto infrastructure. Standard Chartered aims to eliminate a major point of friction for institutional players who were previously forced to navigate a fragmented and often unregulated crypto sector.

The UK spot trading launch is part of Standard Chartered’s broader strategy in the digital asset space. Earlier this year, the bank established a dedicated Luxembourg entity to offer regulated crypto custody services within the EU. Concurrently, it ventured into stablecoins and tokenization, partnering with Animoca Brands and HKT to develop a Hong Kong dollar-pegged stablecoin.

While competitors like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs have taken a more conservative approach to direct crypto spot trading, Standard Chartered’s aggressive positioning grants it an early-mover advantage. The bank’s CEO, Bill Winters, has consistently stated that “digital assets are here to stay.” This proactive stance allows Standard Chartered to cater to deep-pocketed investors who are increasingly demanding secure, compliant crypto exposure amidst a shifting regulatory environment and rising BTC adoption.