Standard Chartered now offers Bitcoin and Ether spot trading to institutional clients through its UK entity.
Clients can select preferred crypto custodians, including Zodia Custody or the bank’s in-house solution.
The bank plans to introduce crypto non-deliverable forwards as part of its broader digital asset strategy.
Standard Chartered has started offering spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ether through its UK operations, marking a major move into institutional cryptocurrency markets. The rollout forms part of the bank’s broader digital asset strategy and follows its regulatory progress in custody services across multiple jurisdictions.
UK Launch Targets Institutional Clients
The spot trading service is currently available through Standard Chartered’s UK entity. Access is offered during Asian and European trading hours. According to the bank, global availability will follow after onboarding through the UK branch. The offering is aimed exclusively at corporate and institutional clients, with no current plans to serve retail customers.
A spokesperson confirmed that the platform uses Standard Chartered’s existing foreign exchange infrastructure. This setup allows clients to trade crypto within familiar interfaces. Institutional users can also choose from multiple custodians, including the bank’s own solution and its affiliated provider, Zodia Custody.
Integrated Custody and Global Expansion
The new service builds on Standard Chartered’s regulated custody offerings. The bank launched custody for Bitcoin and Ether in the United Arab Emirates in September 2023. It also received approval to operate a custody platform in Luxembourg in January 2024.
Clients using the trading service can select where to store their crypto assets. Options include in-house custody or third-party services. The solution aims to meet regulatory standards set by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, which take full effect from July 2025.
The spokesperson said the launch is part of a phased approach. Once UK onboarding is completed, the service will expand to the bank’s global client base. Institutions must complete compliance processes to begin trading through Standard Chartered UK.
Derivatives Offering Expected Soon
Alongside spot trading, the bank plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards (NDFs) for crypto assets. These instruments will give institutional clients more risk management tools in the near future. NDFs involve two-party contracts based on expected future prices but do not involve direct asset delivery.
While the bank confirmed the derivatives launch, it declined to provide a specific timeline. Standard Chartered also did not confirm any intention to expand beyond institutional clients at this stage. The new trading service aligns with the bank’s earlier plans to build a crypto trading desk.
That initiative was first reported in June 2024 and targeted institutional participants in the digital asset space. The bank emphasized that the platform integrates into existing infrastructure. This structure aims to provide institutional clients with access under regulated conditions and with operational flexibility.
