Standard Chartered Bank officially launches BTC/ETH spot trading! Bank capital influx may push BTC to challenge the $150,000 mark.

Global systemically important bank Standard Chartered ( officially opens Bitcoin and Ether spot trading to institutional clients, becoming the first tier-one investment bank to integrate crypto assets into the main forex platform. Trading is executed through its subsidiary Zodia Markets, supporting over 70 types of crypto assets, with the launch of derivation hedging tools planned for this year. Traditional finance is accelerating its embrace of the crypto market: the Bitcoin ETF size is expected to reach $150 billion by 2024, with the global crypto market capitalization nearing $4 trillion. Analysts predict that giants like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup may be forced to follow suit, and the influx of bank capital could push BTC to challenge the $150,000 mark.

Forex platform directly connects to crypto trading, Standard Chartered creates a milestone in the banking industry

• Breakthrough Integration: Institutional clients can directly buy and sell BTC/ETH Spot through the Standard Chartered forex trading interface, eliminating cross-platform operational barriers.
• Systemically Important Endorsement: The first "Global Systemically Important Bank" )G-SIB( provides enterprise-level encryption asset trading support, covering asset management/hedging funds/corporate treasury departments.
• Derivation Roadmap: Announcement confirms the launch of BTC/ETH futures and options contracts to meet institutional hedging needs.

Dual-track layout: The Zodia ecosystem has covered over 70+ encryption assets

1. Existing Infrastructure: ▶ Custody side: Zodia Custody manages over $40 billion in institutional encryption assets ▶ Trading Platform: Zodia Markets supports spot trading of over 70 tokens.
2. Significance of Strategic Upgrade: CEO Bill Winters emphasized "bridging the path between traditional finance and digital asset innovation", with the main platform integration marking a leap in the compliance process.
3. Surge in Customer Demand: In 2024, inquiries into Standard Chartered's crypto business increased by 340% year-on-year.

Traditional finance accelerates the embrace of encrypted assets, ETF gives rise to a 37 trillion market

• Regulatory Breakthrough Timeline: ▶ January 2024: The US SEC approves Bitcoin Spot ETF ▶ July 2024: Ethereum spot ETF approved ▶ 2025 Expectations: Altcoin ETF and Staking Product Unlocking

• Market Size Leap: ▶ The total market capitalization of encryption has increased from 1.6 trillion to 3.7 trillion USD (just a step away from 4 trillion). ▶ BTC accounts for 63.8% ($2.36 trillion) solidifying its position as a core asset. ▶ ETF managed assets exceed $150 billion, BlackRock/Fidelity account for 76% share

• Global Regulatory Race: Hong Kong launches Spot ETF, UK legislation clarifies crypto asset framework

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The entry of bank capital triggers a domino effect, with the 40 trillion threshold in sight

• Peer pressure in the industry: ▶ JPMorgan has accepted BTC ETF as collateral for loans. ▶ Goldman Sachs/Citigroup crypto OTC trading volume increased by 220% quarter-over-quarter. ▶ HSBC plans to launch institutional custody services in Q1 2025
• Liquidity Shock Assessment: ▶ Standard Chartered's corporate client management total assets exceed $870 billion ▶ A 5% allocation to crypto assets would bring an additional $43.5 billion in buying pressure. ▶ Insufficient liquidity depth of BTC may trigger price pulse market.

Conclusion: Banks open new pathways in encryption, regulatory compliance becomes the final barrier The direct connection of the Standard Chartered forex platform to BTC/ETH trading marks the completion of the integration of crypto assets into traditional financial infrastructure. In the short term, attention should be paid to three major trends:

1. Bank-derived product launch schedule (affecting hedging costs and volatility)
2. The SEC's anti-money laundering review of bank crypto services (In 2023, Standard Chartered was fined $1.1 billion for AML breaches)
3. The follow-up speed of competitors like JPMorgan Chase If the three major investment banks open spot trading in September, Bitcoin may break through the $130,000 resistance due to the wave of institutional liquidity, and a total market capitalization of $4 trillion will become the next key psychological barrier.