Standard Chartered has begun offering spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether to institutional clients through its UK branch, becoming the first global systemically important bank to provide direct access to the two largest cryptocurrencies. The service allows corporates, investors and asset managers to execute and settle trades via the bank’s existing foreign-exchange platforms. Clients may hold assets with external custodians or use the bank-backed Zodia Custody service. Standard Chartered said it will add non-deliverable forwards in the coming months. Chief Executive Bill Winters said the launch meets “accelerating” demand for digital asset exposure while keeping transactions “safe and efficient” within regulatory requirements. The bank already offers trading in more than 70 tokens through its Zodia Markets arm, but the new desk integrates crypto alongside currencies such as dollars, euros and yen. StanChart’s move highlights rising institutional appetite for digital assets as Bitcoin trades near record highs and other major lenders explore similar offerings amid a friendlier policy climate.