Standard Chartered launches USD Coin service for institutional clients
The offering is initially designed to support on-chain settlement, treasury management and liquidity operations, with payment services expected to be introduced in a later phase.
- Standard Chartered has launched a new service enabling institutional clients to mint and redeem USD Coin (USDC) directly through the bank, marking a significant step in integrating stablecoins into mainstream banking.
The bank announced on Wednesday that the service, developed in partnership with Circle Internet Group, allows clients to access USDC without opening separate accounts with the stablecoin issuer.
Standard Chartered said it is the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) licensed to offer institutional clients integrated access to USDC minting and redemption through a single onboarding and banking platform.
The move positions the London-headquartered lender among the first globally significant banks to embed regulated stablecoin services into traditional banking operations as demand for blockchain-based financial services continues to grow.
According to the bank, the new service connects conventional banking infrastructure with digital asset platforms and public blockchain networks, enabling institutions to move funds more efficiently between fiat currencies and digital assets.
The offering is initially designed to support on-chain settlement, treasury management and liquidity operations, with payment services expected to be introduced in a later phase.
Standard Chartered said the solution is intended to simplify digital asset transactions while maintaining the governance, compliance and risk management standards expected by institutional clients.
Commenting on the partnership, Kash Razzaghi said financial institutions are increasingly seeking trusted and regulated pathways into blockchain-enabled markets.
“Financial institutions are increasingly looking for trusted ways to access stablecoins and participate in blockchain-enabled financial markets,” Razzaghi said.
“By integrating Circle’s regulated stablecoin infrastructure into Standard Chartered’s global banking platform, we are helping institutions access new opportunities to use USDC across payments, settlement and treasury operations while maintaining the compliance, governance and risk management standards they expect,” he added.
The rollout will begin through Standard Chartered’s operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre, with the bank indicating that the service will gradually expand to other markets subject to regulatory approval.
The launch comes as banks across the world accelerate investment in stablecoin infrastructure following greater regulatory clarity in major financial markets.
Traditional financial institutions are increasingly positioning themselves as intermediaries between conventional banking systems and blockchain-based digital assets, reflecting growing institutional demand for regulated digital payment and settlement solutions.
