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The world of traditional banking is changing because of cryptocurrencies. Major institutions are starting to accept digital assets more and more to suit the growing demand.
Standard Chartered, a huge global bank, made history on July 15, 2025, when it said it would offer Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading services specifically for institutional clients.
This project is a big step toward making cryptocurrencies more popular, and Standard Chartered is the first bank to offer direct-settlement crypto trading for institutional investors. This article goes into depth about this new service, what it means for the financial industry, and the larger trend of banks adding digital assets to their services.
The Crypto Trading Initiative from Standard Chartered
On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Standard Chartered launched its institutional crypto trading platform, which lets clients trade Bitcoin and Ether without any problems.
The service is meant for institutional investors including hedge funds, asset managers, and businesses.
It works with the bank’s existing systems and has an interface that is similar to its foreign exchange (FX) platform. This integration makes it easy to use while still keeping high standards for security and risk management.
Bill Winters, the CEO of Standard Chartered, talked on how important cryptocurrencies are for the future of finance.
Winters said, “Digital assets are a key part of today’s financial ecosystem, opening up new ways for innovation, inclusion, and growth in all industries.”
“We want to give institutions a safe and easy way to trade and manage the risks of digital assets in a regulated environment as demand grows.”
The platform puts security and compliance first, using Standard Chartered’s knowledge of global markets and risk management.
Tony Hall, the head of Global Trading and XVA at Standard Chartered, talked about how the bank is dedicated to providing a service that people can trust.
Hall said, “We’re bringing our global knowledge, infrastructure, and risk management framework—trusted by our clients—into the digital asset space.”
The service features safe custodial solutions and the ability to settle directly, which makes sure that transactions are both safe and quick.
Standard Chartered follows strict rules set by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) because it is a licensed provider of digital asset services. This certification lets the bank offer institutional-grade risk controls, which gives clients peace of mind when trading and managing crypto assets.
The platform is built to meet the complex needs of institutional investors, who need smooth execution, liquidity, and compliance with worldwide rules.
What this means for institutional investors
With the debut of Standard Chartered’s crypto trading service, institutional investors have new chances.
The bank delivers a smooth experience that fits with how traditional financial systems work by adding BTC and ETH trading to its existing infrastructure.
This connection makes it easier for institutions that are new to crypto to learn about it by letting them use tools they already know while they explore digital assets.
The service also lowers the dangers that come with trading crypto. Standard Chartered’s custodial services and ability to settle directly ease worries regarding security, which is very important because of high-profile exchange intrusions in the past.
Also, the bank’s FCA registration means that it meets strict criteria, which gives investors piece of mind while they deal with the complicated rules around digital assets.
The bigger effect is that institutions will have more equal access to crypto marketplaces. Institutional investors now have more trustworthy ways to spread out their investments because big banks like Standard Chartered are getting into the business.
This tendency is likely to speed up the use of cryptocurrencies since institutions add a lot of money and stability to the market, which could make it less volatile over time.
The Bigger Trend in Crypto Banking
Standard Chartered is not the only bank that accepts cryptocurrency. Other banks are doing the same because their customers want it and they need to stay competitive.
The U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) have, for instance, made it easier for banks to do things linked to crypto without getting permission first.
These changes in the rules have made banks more interested in digital assets, from trading to holding them.
There are also more and more partnerships between banks and crypto companies. The recent news that Standard Chartered is working with OKX to look at digital collateral solutions shows how traditional banking and blockchain technology are becoming more and more compatible. These kinds of projects are making it possible for new financial products to be made, like tokenized assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) connections. These products make the divide between traditional and digital finance even less clear.
What’s Next?
Standard Chartered’s start of institutional crypto trading is a big step toward bringing together traditional banking and digital assets.
The bank is answering the needs of a market that is changing quickly by providing a safe, regulated place to trade Bitcoin and Ether. This also strengthens its reputation as a forward-thinking financial institution.
The financial industry is about to change as more institutions do the same thing. Cryptocurrencies will become a key part of institutional portfolios.
This news is an indication of a more mature crypto market for investors, where reliable institutions make it easy and safe to access digital assets.
For the sector, it shows that cryptocurrencies are becoming more widely accepted as a real asset class that can drive innovation and economic growth.
Standard Chartered’s move is a good example of how banks can confidently and expertly handle the crypto frontier as the barriers between traditional and digital banking continue to blur.
