Standard Chartered has introduced a secure, fully integrated digital asset trading service specifically designed for institutional clients. This move is seen as part of the bank’s ongoing efforts to expand its digital finance offerings while maintaining strict compliance with regulatory frameworks.
The newly launched service allows institutional participants—including corporations, professional investors, and asset managers—to engage in delivered spot cryptoasset trading directly through Standard Chartered’s platforms. The initiative aligns with the bank’s broader strategy to accommodate the shifting needs and preferences of institutional clients operating in the evolving digital asset landscape.
Streamlined Access via Familiar Interfaces
According to information provided with the announcement, Standard Chartered’s trading capability has been embedded into its existing infrastructure. This design enables institutional clients to access digital asset markets using the same FX interfaces they are already accustomed to, significantly simplifying the adoption process.
Clients will also be offered the flexibility to select their preferred custodians for trade settlement, including the option of using Standard Chartered’s in-house custody solutions. These custody services are designed with a focus on security and regulatory compliance, helping institutions manage their digital assets with greater confidence.
Operating Within a Regulated Framework
As a cryptoasset service provider registered with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Standard Chartered aims to provide institutional clients with the assurance of transacting within a regulated and risk-managed environment. The platform is backed by the bank’s global balance sheet, institutional-grade controls, and a highly developed trading architecture.
The new offering is intended to overcome some of the critical hurdles that institutional participants often face when entering the digital asset space—particularly concerns related to security, regulatory uncertainty, and counterparty risk. By integrating trading and custody into its existing regulated ecosystem, Standard Chartered seeks to present a seamless and trustworthy entry point for institutional exposure to cryptoassets.
Standard Chartered just became the first global bank to offer spot Bitcoin & Ethereum trading for institutions!
This is a major step toward mainstream crypto adoption, banks are finally embracing the future.#CryptoWeek #Bitcoin #Ethereum #StandardChartered pic.twitter.com/On3oH4ugxd
— Rahul Bhadoriya (@rahuliitm) July 15, 2025
Expansion of Digital Asset Capabilities
This launch adds to a growing portfolio of digital asset solutions already developed by Standard Chartered. The bank now provides both custody and trading capabilities through its Corporate and Investment Banking division, along with services offered by its ventures Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets. Additionally, the bank continues to support asset tokenisation initiatives through Libeara, another digital venture under its umbrella.
The development reflects Standard Chartered’s strategic intent to be at the forefront of institutional-grade digital finance. By integrating emerging asset classes into its traditional banking infrastructure, the bank is positioning itself as a key bridge between conventional finance and the evolving world of digital assets.
With this rollout, Standard Chartered is expected to enhance its appeal to institutional players seeking a reliable, secure, and compliant pathway into the cryptoasset market. The initiative reinforces the bank’s role as a proactive participant in shaping the future of institutional digital asset engagement.