Standard Chartered has announced the launch of spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients, marking a milestone as the first case among global systematically important banks.
Launch of Spot Trading for Bitcoin and Ether
Standard Chartered has officially launched spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether, becoming the first globally systemically important bank to offer regulated spot trading of cryptocurrencies to institutional clients. The service will be provided through the bank's UK entity and will be available during Asia and Europe trading hours, with potential expansion to 24/5 access depending on institutional demand.
Integration with Existing Infrastructure
A key aspect of Standard Chartered's offering is its integration with the bank's existing trading platforms. This allows institutional clients to access crypto markets through familiar foreign exchange interfaces and protocols, easing the learning curve and enhancing operational efficiency. Clients can execute trades and settle them with a custodian of their choice.
Industry Response
The launch of spot trading for cryptocurrencies has drawn significant interest from both traditional financial circles and the digital assets community. Analysts note that this step underscores major banks' readiness to compete with cryptocurrency-native platforms, especially as regulatory clarity improves in key markets like the UK, Hong Kong, and the US.
Standard Chartered's decision to offer spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether represents a significant step in the convergence of traditional finance and cryptocurrencies, providing institutional clients with a safe and regulated path to digital asset exposure.
