StanChart has launched spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ether through its UK branch, marking a notable milestone as it becomes the first global systemically important bank to offer institutional clients direct access to these digital assets in a regulated manner.
The move allows corporates, asset managers and institutional investors to trade Bitcoin and Ether through familiar foreign exchange trading interfaces.
The bank added that non-deliverable forwards would also be available soon as it expands its crypto product suite.
“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,” said group chief executive Bill Winters said in a statement seen by Cryptonews.
Building on Collateral and Stablecoin Moves Across Asia
The rollout reflects growing appetite among institutional investors to integrate digital assets into traditional portfolios. It also positions StanChart as a frontrunner among mainstream banks adapting to the maturing crypto market.
StanChart has been quietly building its crypto footprint through a series of targeted initiatives. In April 2025, the bank partnered with OKX and Franklin Templeton to introduce a digital collateral mirroring program, aimed at bridging traditional finance and digital asset management.
Earlier this year, in February, its Hong Kong subsidiary joined forces with Animoca Brands and HKT to launch a new stablecoin venture. The group plans to issue a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin under the city’s new regulatory framework and has submitted an application to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority for a license.
StanChart Breaks New Ground as Traditional Banks Tiptoe Toward Real-Time Crypto Trading
The UK-based lender, known for its focus on emerging markets and institutional clients, has been cautiously optimistic about crypto. The Wall Street Journal reported in April that both StanChart and Deutsche Bank were exploring new avenues to grow their crypto businesses in the United States, following years of regulatory pushback.
StanChart’s entry into spot trading marks a significant evolution in how traditional banks interact with digital assets. Until now, most large financial institutions have limited themselves to offering custody or indirect exposure through structured products and funds.
With spot trading now on the table, institutional clients can execute real-time transactions in bitcoin and ether, two of the most widely held and liquid cryptocurrencies, while staying within the bounds of UK regulation.
The offering also serves a strategic purpose. By integrating crypto capabilities into its core financial infrastructure, StanChart can better manage client risk, deepen relationships with forward-looking asset managers and expand its services in a market that is increasingly moving on-chain.
While competitors are still navigating internal policies and regulatory uncertainty, StanChart’s latest move shows it is betting on crypto becoming a permanent fixture in institutional finance.
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