Standard Chartered Launches Institutional Crypto Trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Standard Chartered has made a significant move into the digital asset space by launching institutional crypto trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This development marks a turning point in traditional finance’s relationship with crypto markets, as the bank becomes the first global systemically important bank to offer direct crypto spot trading.

The new service, managed through a subsidiary called Zodia Markets, allows institutional clients to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum on a spot basis. This means clients can directly buy and sell these digital assets rather than trading derivatives or futures. The service is built on the bank’s regulated banking infrastructure, integrating institutional-grade risk controls and a robust balance sheet. This infrastructure helps remove entry barriers for institutional clients seeking secure access to digital assets under a trusted framework.

Until now, most large financial institutions have stayed away from offering direct crypto spot trading due to regulatory concerns and market volatility. Standard Chartered’s entry could signal a shift in confidence, especially as institutions increasingly explore digital asset strategies. By offering institutional crypto trading, Standard Chartered is helping bridge the gap between traditional finance and the crypto world. It’s also a sign that demand from professional investors is growing stronger despite recent market fluctuations.

With this launch, Standard Chartered sets itself apart from competitors like JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, which offer crypto exposure through other financial products but have yet to offer direct trading of digital assets. The bank’s new offering allows trading in BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs, with plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) in the near future. Clients trading crypto through the bank will have the flexibility to settle transactions with their preferred custodian, including Standard Chartered’s own FCA-registered custody solutions. This flexibility ensures that clients can manage their digital assets in a manner that best suits their needs and risk profiles.

Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive of Standard Chartered, emphasized the bank’s commitment to meeting client demand for digital asset solutions. “As client demand accelerates further, we want to offer clients a route to transact, trade and manage digital asset risk safely and efficiently within regulatory requirements,” he said. This statement underscores the bank’s focus on innovation, compliance, and client-focused services.

Tony Hall, Global Head of Trading and XVA at the bank, added that the growing interest in regulated digital assets solutions positions Standard Chartered well to meet client needs while capturing opportunities in this space. The bank’s expanding suite of digital asset capabilities includes ventures such as Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, which focus on secure crypto custody and trading infrastructure, and Libeara, a platform for digital asset tokenisation.

This move could trigger a domino effect, encouraging more global banks to step into the crypto spot trading arena. It may also lead to improved liquidity and legitimacy in crypto markets, especially for institutional investors seeking trusted platforms. As regulations mature and more financial institutions adapt, institutional crypto trading might become a standard offering across major global banks. With this strategic initiative, Standard Chartered strengthens its leadership in the emerging digital finance ecosystem, reinforcing its position as a leader in the digital finance landscape.