Standard Chartered Bank has launched a new service that allows institutional clients to access issuance and redemption of the USDC stablecoin. The solution was developed in partnership with Circle, the issuer of USDC, and marks one of the first stablecoin offerings from a global systemically important bank (G-SIB).
The integration allows institutions to interact with USDC without opening a direct account with Circle. Instead, access is embedded into Standard Chartered’s existing institutional banking infrastructure through a single onboarding and maintenance process.
The service aims to simplify how financial institutions interact with digital assets while maintaining traditional banking standards for compliance, governance, and risk management.
What the new USDC service enables for institutions
The platform connects fiat banking systems, blockchain networks, and digital asset infrastructure within a single bank-managed environment. This allows institutions to move funds more efficiently between traditional and digital financial systems.
It supports use cases such as on-chain settlement, treasury operations, and liquidity management. The bank also plans to expand the service into broader payment functionalities as market demand evolves.
By embedding USDC access directly into its institutional offering, Standard Chartered combines banking, custody, and digital asset functionality into one integrated platform designed for regulated financial activity.
Initial rollout in Dubai and expansion plans
The service is initially available to eligible clients through Standard Chartered’s branch in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The bank says this strengthens the UAE’s position as a regulated hub for digital asset innovation.
Standard Chartered views this launch as the first phase of a broader global rollout. Expansion to additional markets will depend on regulatory approvals and local market readiness.
Institutional demand drives stablecoin integration
The launch reflects increasing demand from corporations and financial institutions for regulated stablecoin infrastructure. These systems are increasingly used for payments, settlements, liquidity management, and participation in digital asset markets.
Roberto Hornweg, CEO of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered, said digital assets are becoming a core part of global financial infrastructure. He added that institutional clients now expect the same levels of trust and governance found in traditional banking systems.
Kash Razzaghi, Chief Commercial Officer at Circle, said institutions are seeking reliable and compliant ways to use stablecoins. He noted that integrating regulated infrastructure into established banking platforms helps institutions use USDC for payments, settlements, and treasury operations while maintaining compliance standards.
