Standard Chartered has launched spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum targeting institutional clients through its UK banking subsidiary. This initiative addresses growing institutional demand for cryptocurrency exposure.

The globally systemically important bank announced it's the first among its peers to offer regulated, secure, and scalable access to spot trading for both Bitcoin and Ether. Corporate entities, investment firms, and asset managers can now execute digital asset trades via familiar foreign exchange trading interfaces.

According to the bank's statement, non-deliverable forwards for cryptocurrencies will be introduced shortly. Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters emphasized the strategic move: "With accelerating client demand, we're committed to providing secure pathways for institutions to trade, transact, and manage digital asset risks within regulatory frameworks."

The service leverages Standard Chartered's established institutional infrastructure while meeting heightened compliance requirements for cryptocurrency transactions.