Standard Chartered Launches Institutional Crypto Spot Trading in the UK

Standard Chartered has launched a new trading service enabling institutional and corporate clients to trade Bitcoin and Ether directly through its UK branch, marking another step in the bank’s steady integration of digital assets into traditional financial systems.

The multinational bank announced on Tuesday that it is rolling out spot trading for major cryptocurrencies, with plans to expand the service to include crypto non-deliverable forwards (NDFs), a type of derivatives contract, in the near future. 

This launch positions Standard Chartered among the few global banks providing direct crypto trading access within its regulated frameworks for institutional investors.

“Digital assets are a foundational element of the evolution in financial services. They’re integral to enabling new pathways for innovation, greater inclusion, and growth across the industry,” said Bill Winters, Standard Chartered group chief executive, in the statement shared with Cointelegraph.

Integrated Custody and Flexible Storage Options

Standard Chartered’s crypto spot trading service is fully integrated with its existing platforms, allowing clients to trade crypto assets via the bank’s familiar foreign exchange interfaces. This seamless integration is designed to lower operational friction for institutions seeking crypto exposure while ensuring compliance with existing regulations.

The service also provides clients with flexibility in crypto custody options. Investors can select their preferred third-party custodian or utilize Standard Chartered’s proprietary custody solutions for storing their crypto assets securely. 

Last year, the bank expanded its regulated custody offering for Bitcoin and Ether in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating its commitment to building a comprehensive crypto infrastructure for institutional clients.

Standard Chartered Bullish Bitcoin, Cautious on Ethereum

Standard Chartered’s crypto service rollout aligns with its bullish outlook on Bitcoin. The bank projects that Bitcoin will reach $135,000 by the end of Q3 2025, driven by strong ETF inflows and rising corporate treasury demand. 

Furthermore, it anticipates Bitcoin could climb to $200,000 by the end of 2025, and even reach $500,000 before the end of 2028 as institutional adoption accelerates and macro diversification continues.

However, the bank has taken a more cautious stance on Ethereum, recently reducing its end‑2025 ETH price forecast from $10,000 to $4,000 due to structural pressures, including the migration of activity to Layer-2 networks impacting Ethereum’s fee capture. 

Despite this adjustment, Standard Chartered maintains a positive long-term view on Ethereum, projecting prices could recover to around $7,500 by 2028–2029.