Standard Chartered has introduced a fully integrated spot trading service for Bitcoin and Ethereum through its UK branch, marking a milestone as the first global systemically important bank to offer regulated, deliverable crypto trading via familiar FX platforms, signalling a new era of institutional engagement in digital assets.
Standard Chartered has taken a significant step in bridging traditional finance and the burgeoning digital asset market by launching a fully integrated spot trading service for Bitcoin and Ethereum. This offering, available through the bank’s UK branch, targets institutional clients including corporates, investors, and asset managers. It marks the first time a global systemically important bank has introduced regulated, deliverable spot trading of these major cryptocurrencies via familiar foreign exchange (FX) trading platforms.
Clients can now buy and sell Bitcoin and Ether with near-immediate ownership transfer, leveraging Standard Chartered’s existing infrastructure. The service integrates seamlessly with the bank’s established FX interfaces, allowing institutional clients to access digital asset markets within trusted environments. This approach promises not only ease of use but also the reassurance that comes from dealing with a globally recognised and regulated financial institution. The bank is registered as a crypto asset service provider with the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and supports its offering with sophisticated institutional-grade risk management frameworks.
Tony Hall, Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Trading and XVA, Markets, emphasized the bank’s commitment: “We are applying our global expertise, infrastructure and risk management frameworks that our clients trust to the digital assets space. With growing interest in regulated digital assets solutions, we are well-positioned to meet client needs while capturing the opportunities in this space.” The move reflects increasing institutional appetite for digital assets, a trend underscored by regulatory clarity and rising market acceptance.
Industry observers note that the launch is part of a broader cultural and financial realignment. Cryptocurrency market capitalisation recently surpassed $4 trillion, highlighting digital assets’ growing role in global finance. Bitcoin, in particular, achieved an all-time high above $120,000 in mid-2025, spurred by pro-crypto legislation in the US, such as the GENIUS Act and other bills aiming to clarify and regulate digital asset markets. Under the Trump administration, initiatives like the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve have encouraged institutions to reconsider their exposure to cryptocurrencies. Deloitte’s recent white paper on corporate crypto investment shows firms progressively allocat-ing treasury resources to digital assets over the past five years, anticipating that such investments will become routine.
Standard Chartered is also laying the groundwork for expanding its digital asset services. The bank plans to introduce non-deliverable forwards for cryptocurrencies in the near term, broadening the risk management and trading tools available to its clients. Moreover, clients will be able to select from preferred crypto custodians, including Standard Chartered’s own custody solution and partners like Zodia Custody, providing flexibility in how digital assets are held and managed.
This initiative positions Standard Chartered at the forefront of institutional cryptocurrency adoption, setting a precedent for other major banks to introduce similar regulated, scalable crypto trading services. By blending traditional market infrastructure with the digital asset ecosystem, the bank aims to meet the rising demand from institutional investors seeking secure and compliant access to cryptocurrencies.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a press release dated 15 July 2025, announcing Standard Chartered’s launch of spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients. ([sc.com](https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-launches-digital-assets-trading-for-institutional-clients/?utm_source=openai)) This is the earliest known publication date for this information, indicating high freshness. The press release format typically warrants a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Bill Winters and Tony Hall in the narrative match those in the press release dated 15 July 2025. ([sc.com](https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-launches-digital-assets-trading-for-institutional-clients/?utm_source=openai)) No earlier usage of these quotes was found, suggesting they are original to this release.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a press release issued by Standard Chartered, a reputable global financial institution. This direct source enhances the reliability of the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about Standard Chartered launching spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether align with the press release dated 15 July 2025. ([sc.com](https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/standard-chartered-launches-digital-assets-trading-for-institutional-clients/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s details are consistent with the bank’s official announcement, and no discrepancies or inconsistencies were found.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from Standard Chartered, dated 15 July 2025, announcing the launch of spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients. The information is fresh, with no evidence of recycled content. The quotes are original to this release, and the source is highly reliable. All claims are plausible and consistent with the official announcement. Therefore, the narrative passes the fact-check with high confidence.
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