- Standard Chartered launches Bitcoin and Ethereum spot trading for institutional clients in the UK.
- Over 135 public companies now hold Bitcoin, signaling rising institutional interest.
- BTC price declined 4.2% to $116,969 amid increasing adoption by corporate entities.
Standard Chartered has officially introduced spot trading services for Bitcoin and Ethereum through its UK-based entity, becoming the first global systemically important bank to offer such services to institutional clients. This strategic launch comes amid accelerating demand from asset managers and corporations seeking regulated, deliverable access to digital assets.
The bank’s move is aimed at providing secure and scalable crypto trading options tailored for institutions. Notably, the new offering delivers full access to Bitcoin and Ethereum spot markets under a compliant framework. This marks a significant milestone in the integration of cryptocurrencies within the broader financial services sector.
Standard Chartered Debuts Spot BTC and ETH Trading for Institutions
Institutional interest in digital assets has grown rapidly, and Standard Chartered’s entry into spot trading directly addresses this trend. The bank now enables institutions to trade Bitcoin and Ethereum with physical settlement, unlike derivatives-based solutions.
The new service operates within the UK regulatory framework and is built to meet institutional-grade requirements. It is also following the larger narrative of crypto integration by regulated financial organizations. The advantage of deliverable spot trading is that buyers get to take delivery of the real underlying assets providing some sense of transparency and certainty to players.
This trend represents the definite increase in institutional interest in cryptocurrencies within the last 12 months. With increasing regulatory clarity, direct exposure to core assets such as BTC and ETH is increasingly in demand by additional entities.
Public Firms Hold 848K BTC, Led by BlackRock’s IBIT
Recent data from Biconomy.com reveals that more than 135 publicly traded companies now hold Bitcoin on their balance sheets. Collectively, these companies control around 848,000 BTC. This figure represents a growing share of total Bitcoin supply allocated to corporate treasuries and institutional vehicles.
Of this total, a significant portion—approximately 700,000 BTC—is held by BlackRock’s IBIT exchange-traded fund. This positions IBIT as the dominant holder among institutional vehicles, indicating a shift in how digital assets are being adopted at scale.
The increase in balance sheet allocation points to a stronger appetite for Bitcoin among publicly listed firms. This trend aligns with efforts by financial institutions to offer direct access and custody options for digital assets.
Bitcoin Price Declined as Institutions Expand Holdings
The price of Bitcoin has declined 4.2% over the past 24 hours and reached 116 969 in the session on Tuesday. The asset that was traded ranged between prices of a low of 116,669 and a high of 122,088. These levels mark important technical zones as volatility remains active across digital asset markets.
Institutional demand continues to play a central role in BTC’s market behavior. With spot trading now accessible through regulated banking channels, price discovery may reflect broader participation from large investors.
The launch of Standard Chartered’s trading service adds to the infrastructure supporting these activities. While Bitcoin’s spot price has been volatile, increasing institutional involvement suggests more consistent trading volumes within key support and resistance zones.
