Standard Chartered Bank is the first major bank to offer deliverable spot trading in Bitcoin and Ethereum to institutional clients.
However, the launch contrasts with Barclays' decision to restrict cryptocurrency purchases, highlighting banks' differing approaches to the cryptocurrency sector.
Regulatory changes in the UK and oversight by the Bank of England are boosting institutional confidence in crypto assets, helping Standard Chartered's move.
Standard Chartered has introduced deliverable spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum, becoming the first major international bank to offer this service to institutional clients.
This strategic move comes as regulatory guidance in the UK continues to evolve and institutional demand for secure access to digital assets accelerates.
Institutional access to secure digital asset trading
This new platform also enables institutional investors and companies to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum on the spot market, supported by settlement solutions that comply with the UK regulatory environment. The service is offered through a dedicated UK subsidiary, demonstrating the growing customer demand and the bank's determination to link digital assets with traditional financial products.
This move also demonstrates that traditional banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines. By entering cryptocurrency trading, they are signaling that digital assets are no longer limited to niche players.
“Digital assets are a key component of the evolution of financial services,” said Bill Winters, CEO of Standard Chartered. “As customer demand accelerates, we want to provide customers with a way to safely and efficiently transact, trade, and manage their digital asset risks within regulatory requirements.”
With trading integrated into Standard Chartered's banking infrastructure, clients benefit from custody and settlement options that align with institutional standards. The bank's custody solutions offer secure storage of assets and are already active in markets such as the UAE.
Meanwhile, Standard Chartered's move to launch spot cryptocurrency trading contrasts sharply with Barclays' recent decision to restrict cryptocurrency purchases. The banking giant plans to ban customers from purchasing digital assets using debit cards, citing concerns about consumer risk.
UK regulatory changes and enhanced risk controls
The launch of this service follows recent changes to cryptocurrency regulations in the UK. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) now supports certain cryptocurrency investment products, including exchange-traded notes (ETNs). This indicates a more mature regulatory environment.
The Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority has also intensified its oversight of banks' exposure to cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets.
Standard Chartered's initiative points to a broader shift as global banks expand into digital asset services. The bank has already indicated plans to explore non-deliverable futures contracts for cryptocurrencies and tokenized assets, furthering its drive for continuous innovation.
These developments could pave the way for new financial products designed to meet the needs of institutions.
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