Standard Chartered is the first major bank to offer USDC▲$0.9998 access to institutional clients. We break down what you need to know.
Standard Chartered has launched a service allowing institutional clients to issue and redeem USDC directly through the bank’s platform. The solution was developed in partnership with Circle, USDC’s issuer.
Standard Chartered is now the first global systemically important bank to offer integrated USDC access through a single onboarding and servicing process. Clients do not need to set up a separate Circle account.
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How Standard Chartered’s USDC Service Works
The service combines traditional banking services, digital asset infrastructure, and public blockchains into a single product managed by the bank. It meets the risk management, compliance, and corporate governance standards applied in traditional banking.
Supported use cases include on-chain settlements, corporate treasury, and liquidity management. The infrastructure is also expected to expand to stablecoin-based payment solutions. The bank plans to scale the service to other markets after securing regulatory approvals.
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Launch in the UAE and Standard Chartered’s Next Steps
The service is initially available to qualified clients through the bank’s DIFC branch in Dubai. Standard Chartered emphasized that this strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading hub for regulated digital asset activity.
Standard Chartered Corporate and Investment Banking CEO Roberto Hornung said digital assets are becoming a key part of the global financial infrastructure, and institutional clients expect the same level of trust and control as in traditional markets. The launch extends those standards to a fast-growing segment.
Circle Chief Commercial Officer Kash Razzaghi noted that integrating USDC’s regulated infrastructure into Standard Chartered’s platform simplifies stablecoin use for payments, settlements, and treasury operations.
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