Standard Chartered is considering expanding its digital assets business, with early discussions underway to launch a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform.
If pursued, the initiative would place the British lender among a cohort of global banks expanding their exposure to cryptocurrencies.
Key Points
- Standard Chartered is in early talks to develop a crypto trading and prime brokerage platform, Bloomberg reported Monday.
- The proposed initiative is being discussed under SC Ventures, the bank’s venture capital arm, according to Bloomberg.
- No launch timeline has been set, and the bank has not confirmed the plan.
- Standard Chartered launched institutional crypto trading services in July 2025.
Early-Stage Discussions Under SC Ventures
According to Bloomberg, Standard Chartered is in early discussions about developing a platform for crypto trading and prime brokerage. Specifically, the proposal is being explored by SC Ventures, the bank’s venture capital and innovation arm, which focuses on emerging financial technologies.
For now, the discussions remain exploratory. Bloomberg reported that no launch timeline has been established. Additionally, Standard Chartered has yet to publicly confirm the plan, leaving the potential expansion in the planning stage.
Existing Footprint in Crypto Markets
Although the brokerage platform has yet to materialize, Standard Chartered already maintains a foothold in digital assets. For instance, in July 2025, the bank introduced crypto trading services designed for institutional and corporate clients.
Consequently, that launch enabled professional investors to trade major cryptocurrencies. It also provided the operational framework necessary should the new initiative advance.
Industry Momentum Among Major Banks
Standard Chartered’s reported deliberations highlight a broader shift within traditional finance. In response to this trend, major banks are increasingly evaluating crypto-linked products.
For context, Morgan Stanley recently filed to launch an Ethereum exchange-traded fund, marking its third crypto-related ETF filing.
Meanwhile, Bank of America approved four spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this month, allowing the products to be proactively recommended by more than 15,000 wealth advisers.
Taken together, these developments underscore increasing involvement in digital assets across the banking sector.
Ethereum Outlook Revised Lower in the Medium Term
Even as it explores new crypto services, Standard Chartered has taken a more cautious view on Ethereum’s price trajectory in the medium term.
Specifically, in a note released Monday, the bank lowered its forecast for Ethereum at the end of 2026 to $7,500, down from a prior estimate of $12,000.
It also reduced its end-2028 projection to $22,000 from $25,000, citing continued softness across digital asset markets.
Long-Term View Remains Optimistic
The near- and medium-term downgrade was partly attributed to Bitcoin’s recent performance. Geoff Kendrick, global head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered, said weaker Bitcoin returns continue to weigh on the broader crypto market, given Bitcoin’s dominant influence.
Nevertheless, the bank remains optimistic about Ethereum’s long-term potential. Standard Chartered now expects the second-largest cryptocurrency to surpass $40,000 by 2030, thereby raising its previous long-term target of $30,000.
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