Standard Chartered has launched a fully integrated digital assets trading service for institutional clients, becoming the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to offer deliverable spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether.

The new offering enables trading in BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs through the bank’s UK branch, with plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) shortly.

Institutional clients, including corporations, asset managers, and professional investors, can now trade and settle crypto assets through familiar FX platforms and interfaces. With this move, they aim to provide corporates, asset managers, hedge funds, and family offices direct access to crypto markets using the same infrastructure and compliance frameworks that govern traditional foreign exchange trading.

Additionally, this expansion builds on ongoing investment in the digital asset space. In recent years, the bank has launched Zodia Custody, co-founded Zodia Markets, and created Libeara, a platform focused on tokenizing real-world assets. It also recently formed a new EU digital asset entity and partnered with crypto prime broker FalconX to support fiat settlements across key global markets.

A Global Growing Interest.

Tony Hall, Global Head of Trading and XVA at the bank, added: “With growing interest in regulated digital assets solutions, we are well positioned to meet client needs while capturing the opportunities in this space.”

The firm built the service on the bank’s regulated banking infrastructure and integrates institutional-grade risk controls and a robust balance sheet. This helps remove entry barriers for institutional clients seeking secure access to digital assets under a trusted framework.

Moreover, the launch adds to Standard Chartered’s expanding suite of digital asset capabilities, which focus on secure crypto custody and trading infrastructure, as well as Libeara, a platform for digital asset tokenization.

With this move, Standard Chartered strengthens its leadership in the emerging digital finance ecosystem, reinforcing its commitment to innovation, compliance, and client-focused services.

Standard Chartered clients can choose where to store crypto.

The company’s fully integrates its new crypto offering with the bank’s existing platforms, enabling institutional clients to access and trade crypto assets through familiar foreign exchange interfaces, according to the announcement.

The service also allows investors to select their preferred custodian or choose from multiple providers for storing their crypto assets, including Standard Chartered’s proprietary custody solutions.

As previously mentioned, Standard Chartered has been actively rolling out its crypto custody services, launching a regulated custody offering for Bitcoin and Ether in the United Arab Emirates last September.