Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Standard Chartered today announced the launch of its institutional mechanism for issuing and redeeming the USDC digital currency, which was developed in collaboration with Circle Internet Group, Inc. (NYSE: CRCL ), the issuer of the USDC currency,[1] through its regulated entities.

This launch makes Standard Chartered the first global systemically important bank ( G-SIB ) licensed to provide a unified access to USDC digital currency issuance and redemption services through a single onboarding and service experience, without the need to open direct accounts with Circle.

This service empowers institutions to seamlessly transfer value between traditional and digital financial systems with greater speed and transparency. It achieves this by connecting traditional banking services, digital asset infrastructure, and public blockchain networks within a comprehensive solution led by a global financial institution. Furthermore, it supports a wide range of institutional uses, including blockchain settlement, treasury management, and liquidity management, while also providing the necessary infrastructure to support future payments.

By integrating direct access to the USDC digital currency within the bank’s corporate platform, Standard Chartered will combine banking, asset custody, and digital asset services into a comprehensive offering, delivered in accordance with the highest standards of risk management, compliance, and governance that distinguish leading international financial institutions.

This service will initially be available to eligible corporate and institutional clients through Standard Chartered's operations in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), reinforcing the UAE's leading position as a global hub for regulated digital asset activity and representing the first phase of Standard Chartered's broader global stablecoin strategy. The bank intends to expand the service to additional markets, subject to regulatory approvals and market readiness.

This announcement reflects the growing demand from financial institutions and companies for a stablecoin infrastructure that is subject to regulatory frameworks and allows them to use stablecoins in a wide range of financial activities, including payments, treasury management, settlement, liquidity management, and participation in digital asset markets.

Roberto Hornwig, Chief Executive Officer of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered, said: “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 Razaki, Chief Commercial Officer at Circle, added : “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.”

This launch is part of Standard Chartered’s broader digital asset strategy, which includes banking, financial markets, securities services, asset custody, and digital market infrastructure, and reflects the bank’s commitment to supporting responsible innovation in stablecoins and digital assets.

For more information, please contact :

Khaled Abdullah, Chartered Financial Analyst® ( CFA®)

Regional Head of Corporate Communications

Corporate and investment banking services,

The UAE, the Middle East, and Pakistan

Email address: Khaled.abdulla@sc.com

Standard Chartered

Standard Chartered is a leading global banking group with a presence in 54 of the world's most dynamic markets. Our aim is to enhance trade and prosperity worldwide through the unique diversity we offer. The bank's clear vision, encapsulated in the motto "Here for better," reflects its rich heritage and core corporate values .

It should be noted that Standard Chartered is listed on the financial markets in both London and Hong Kong .

For more information and expert opinions, please visit the Insights section on our website sc.com. You can also follow us on social media: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook .

About Circle

Circle (NYSE: CRCL ) is a leading global provider of online financial services platforms, building the foundations of a more open global economy through blockchain-based programmable infrastructure, digital assets, and payment applications .

Circle includes the world’s largest stablecoin network, based on USDC , along with Circle Payments Network for the movement of funds globally, and Arc , an enterprise-grade blockchain infrastructure designed to become the economic operating system of the internet.

Businesses, financial institutions, and developers use Circle solutions to support trusted financial innovation on an internet scale .

For more information, please visit: circle.com .

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