In a further step to integrate digital currency into regular banking, Standard Chartered has partnered with B2C2, a company that offers bitcoin trading services to large investors.
The partnership was announced this week as the total value of all cryptocurrencies worldwide has fluctuated significantly, having peaked at over $4 trillion in late 2025 before stabilizing around $2.4 trillion in mid-February 2026. Asian markets are seeing the most trading activity, while banks and financial firms in Western countries are working on new regulations to participate in the crypto space.
Bridging the gap between banks and crypto exchanges
The two companies say they want to solve a problem that has frustrated big investors: the difficulty of moving money between traditional banks and cryptocurrency exchanges. They aim to facilitate the buying and selling of digital assets by establishing a direct connection between a leading international bank and a leading cryptocurrency trading company.
B2C2 clients, including businesses, hedge funds, asset management firms and wealthy families, will now have direct access to Standard Chartered’s global banking network and payment settlement systems. With major regulatory changes in the banking sector in 2025, timing is crucial.
The United Kingdom made significant progress in its own digital asset legislation, while the European Union implemented its MiCAR standards. These new frameworks have forced banks to start trading cryptocurrencies instead of simply discussing them.
The transaction combines B2C2’s ability to supply liquidity for both standard cryptocurrency trading and options markets with Standard Chartered’s banking capabilities. The Asia-Pacific region had the fastest growth in blockchain activity, according to statistics from the Global Cryptocurrency Adoption Index 2025. Nearly $2.36 trillion worth of transactions were made in the region overall, a 69% increase from the previous year.
According to Luke Boland, Standard Chartered’s head of financial technology for Asia, it offers “regulated and scalable market links without compromising execution or risk.” management.”
Thomas Restout, senior executive at B2C2, highlighted Standard Chartered’s global presence and strong regulatory position. He called the bank “an ideal strategic counterparty” to help more institutional investors enter digital markets. His comments align with B2C2’s recent improvements to its operations, including late achievement of a SOC 2 certification. 2025. This certification demonstrates that the company meets the strict requirements demanded by top-level financial institutions.
Taking advantage of months of preparation
The new agreement allows the B2C2 customersa tap in the Standard Chartered banking system in various countries. This means that institutional investors can handle both regular currencies and digital assets more easily and with better oversight. Standard Chartered recently took on another role in the cryptocurrency world when it was named custodian of 21Shares, creating what amounts to a comprehensive service package that traditional fund managers find attractive.
B2C2 has earned a reputation for offering consistent cryptocurrency trading services to institutional clients around the world. Standard Chartered operates in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, helping clients move money across borders and access different markets.
The two companies say they plan to create a trusted system for institutional cryptocurrency trading that supports making digital assets part of mainstream finance.
The groundwork for this deal began months ago. Standard Chartered announced in July 2025 which would expand its regulated digital asset services for institutional clients. The bank has started offering Bitcoin spot trading through its UK branch.
Those trades are integrated into the bank’s existing foreign exchange platforms, giving clients options on how to settle trades and store their holdings. This setup allows traders to work with Bitcoin and Ethereum using the same methods they already know when trading the world’s major currencies such as the dollar, euro, and yen.
The partnership between Standard Chartered and B2C2 represents a shift in the way digital assets are handled within the core of global finance, simplifying the work of institutions in both traditional banking and newer cryptocurrency markets.