Standard Chartered Bank Launches Spot Trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum

Standard Chartered's new trading platform enhances its regulated Bitcoin and crypto services, catering to growing institutional demand for digital assets.

BTC
ETH

Summary

On July 15, 2025, Standard Chartered launched a spot Bitcoin trading platform for institutional clients, integrated with its existing services. The initiative aims to meet accelerating institutional demand for digital assets while ensuring a regulated trading environment under FCA oversight. The bank plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards for Bitcoin trading soon, allowing clients to settle trades with various custodians, including its own custody service. Bill Winters, Group Chief Executive, highlighted the importance of digital assets in financial evolution, while recent projections suggest significant Bitcoin price growth driven by institutional interest.

Terms & Concepts
  • Digital Assets: Assets that are stored and transacted in digital form, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ether.
  • Custodian: A financial institution that holds customers' securities for safekeeping to minimize the risk of theft or loss.
  • Non-Deliverable Forwards (NDFs): A financial contract that allows parties to speculate on the future price of an asset without the actual delivery of the asset.