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Standard Chartered has partnered with Circle Internet Group to launch an integrated institutional service for the issuance and redemption of the USDC stablecoin, becoming the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to provide eligible corporate and institutional clients with direct access to these services without requiring a separate account with Circle.

The new offering enables institutions to access USDC through a unified onboarding and service experience, connecting traditional banking infrastructure with digital asset services and public blockchain networks. The initiative is designed to simplify the movement of value between conventional and digital financial ecosystems while maintaining high standards of risk management, compliance, and governance.

Initially, the service will be available to eligible corporate and institutional clients through Standard Chartered's operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). The bank said the launch reinforces the UAE's position as a leading global hub for regulated digital assets and marks the first phase of its broader international stablecoin strategy. Expansion into additional markets is planned, subject to regulatory approvals and market readiness.

The integrated platform supports a range of institutional use cases, including blockchain-based settlement, treasury management, liquidity management, and future payment applications. By embedding direct USDC access into its corporate banking platform, Standard Chartered aims to deliver a comprehensive suite of banking, custody, and digital asset services within a regulated framework.

The launch comes as demand continues to grow among financial institutions and corporations for regulated stablecoin infrastructure capable of supporting payments, settlements, treasury operations, liquidity management, and participation in digital asset markets.

Roberto Hoornweg, Chief Executive Officer of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered, said digital assets are becoming an increasingly important part of the global financial system.

"Digital assets are becoming an increasingly important component of the global financial infrastructure, as institutions look to the same levels of trust and governance that underpin traditional markets. With this launch, we are extending these standards to a rapidly evolving sector within the financial system. At its core, this achievement is about expanding institutional participation in digital asset markets through the regulatory frameworks, controls, and oversight that have established the foundations of trust in global financial markets."

Kash Razzaghi, Chief Business Officer at Circle, said the partnership provides financial institutions with secure access to regulated stablecoin infrastructure.

"Financial institutions are increasingly looking for reliable ways to access stablecoin infrastructure and participate in blockchain-based financial markets. By integrating Circle's regulated stablecoin infrastructure into Standard Chartered's global banking platform, we are helping institutions tap into new opportunities to use the USDC digital currency across payments, settlements, and treasury operations, while maintaining the compliance, governance, and risk management standards they expect."

The initiative forms part of Standard Chartered's broader digital asset strategy, which spans banking, financial markets, securities services, digital asset custody, and digital market infrastructure, underscoring the bank's commitment to supporting responsible innovation in the rapidly evolving digital finance ecosystem.

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