Standard Chartered broadens its presence in the cryptocurrency sector as stablecoin market experiences growth.

Standard Chartered has initiated spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) via its institutional crypto platform, enhancing its footprint in digital assets as U.S. regulatory and investor focus sharply shifts toward stablecoins.

This launch follows a series of high-level discussions in Washington, New York, and Boston, where Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Head of Digital Assets Research, spent the week of July 7 to July 11 interacting with crypto-native companies, Bitcoin miners, investment funds, and policymakers.

Kendrick noted that nearly 90% of the conversations were focused on stablecoins, even with Bitcoin reaching new all-time highs.

Regulatory tailwinds

Interest in stablecoins has increased as the GENIUS Act, a U.S. legislative proposal aimed at establishing clear regulations for fiat-backed digital assets, approaches passage.

Kendrick mentioned that the legislation could be enacted as soon as this week, paving the way for rapid growth in the U.S. stablecoin market and facilitating broader acceptance among financial institutions and public-sector organizations.

Kendrick indicated that clients now anticipate a stablecoin market valuation of $750 billion by the conclusion of 2026, up from around $250 billion as of July 15.

With regulatory clarity, the issuance of stablecoins is expected to expand significantly, not only through major financial institutions but also potentially involving regional banks and local governments exploring tokenized cash instruments.

In addition to adoption, discussions also addressed macroeconomic ramifications: potential changes in the U.S. Treasury curve, long-term impacts on dollar liquidity, reforms in the U.S. payment system, and financial stability risks associated with stablecoins in emerging markets.

Stablecoin infrastructure

Standard Chartered’s report indicates that the overall stablecoin sector may be developing more rapidly than previously expected.

Kendrick emphasized that the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, a distinct legislative initiative, could be passed by late September or early October, potentially speeding up the tokenization of real-world assets (RWAs) and the incorporation of DeFi frameworks.

On-chain data reveals steady growth in stablecoin balances across all wallet sizes, including centralized exchanges, DeFi platforms, and mid-sized retail wallets, signifying expanding use cases and increasing global demand.

Kendrick’s insights and Standard Chartered’s trading desk launch signify a crucial transformation in institutional crypto strategy. While Bitcoin’s function as a store of value remains unchanged, the infrastructure and policy focus now seem firmly directed toward stablecoins as the foundation of programmable money.

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