Standard Chartered will give its institutional clients direct access to minting and redeeming stablecoin USD Coin (USDC) through a partnership with payments technology firm Circle.

The bank said the launch makes it 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 service experience, without requiring clients to hold direct accounts with Circle.

The service links traditional banking with digital asset infrastructure and public blockchain networks, which Standard Chartered said allows institutions to move value between fiat and digital ecosystems more quickly and transparently.

The bank said the offering will support a range of institutional use cases, including on-chain settlement, treasury operations and liquidity management. It also provides infrastructure for future payment-related services as demand for regulated stablecoins continues to grow.

By integrating USDC into its institutional banking platform, Standard Chartered said it aims to offer clients banking, custody, and digital asset services through a single platform backed by the bank's existing risk management, compliance, and governance framework.

The service will initially launch through the bank's operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre. Standard Chartered said it plans to expand the capability into other markets, subject to regulatory approval and local market readiness.

The bank said demand is increasing among financial institutions and corporates for regulated stablecoin infrastructure to support activities including payments, treasury management, settlement, liquidity management, and participation in digital asset markets.

“Digital assets are becoming an increasingly important component of global financial infrastructure, and institutional clients are seeking the same levels of trust and governance that underpin traditional markets,” said Roberto Hoornweg, chief executive officer for corporate and investment banking at Standard Chartered. “With this launch, we are extending those standards into a rapidly evolving segment of the financial system.

“Ultimately, this is about enabling broader institutional participation in digital asset markets through the frameworks, controls and regulatory oversight that have long supported confidence in global financial markets.”

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