Standard Chartered and Circle launch bank-led USDC access

Standard Chartered has launched a new service that gives eligible institutional clients access to USDC minting and redemption through its own banking platform. 

The product was developed with Circle, the issuer of USDC. Meanwhile, the bank said the setup lets clients use one onboarding and service experience instead of opening direct accounts with Circle. It connects fiat banking, custody, digital asset infrastructure, and public blockchain networks inside one bank-led offering.

The service starts through Standard Chartered’s DIFC operations in Dubai. The bank plans to expand it into other markets, subject to local approvals and market readiness.

Standard Chartered offers USDC access through one bank platform

The Standard Chartered and Circle launch makes the bank the first Global Systemically Important Bank licensed to offer institutional clients integrated USDC minting and redemption access. Circle said clients can use the service without holding direct Circle accounts.

The product targets use cases such as onchain settlement, treasury operations, and liquidity management. It also gives Standard Chartered a path to support payment-related use cases in the future as stablecoin infrastructure becomes part of institutional workflows.

Roberto Hoornweg, Chief Executive Officer for Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Chartered, said, “Digital assets are becoming an increasingly important component of global financial infrastructure.” He added that clients want the same trust and governance standards that support traditional markets.

Circle links USDC to regulated banking channels

Circle Chief Commercial Officer Kash Razzaghi said financial institutions want trusted access to stablecoins and blockchain-based markets. He said integrating Circle’s infrastructure into Standard Chartered’s platform can help institutions use USDC across payments, settlement, and treasury operations.

The launch follows other bank-linked USDC moves. As previously reported, BNY unlocked USDC minting and redemption for clients, allowing them to convert U.S. dollars into USDC and redeem the stablecoin back into dollars from within its platform.

Circle has also been widening its institutional payment network. Circle Payments Network launched for banks, giving banks and fintechs a managed USDC settlement option without requiring them to manage custody systems or blockchain operations directly.

UAE role grows in stablecoin infrastructure

Standard Chartered said the launch reinforces the UAE’s role as a hub for regulated digital asset activity. The service begins in DIFC, where many global banks and digital asset firms already serve institutional clients across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The UAE has also moved to build local stablecoin rules and products. Moreover, the UAE unveiled its first central bank-approved stablecoin, creating a locally regulated dollar-backed token that competes with USDC in certain institutional use cases.

Standard Chartered has also expanded digital asset payment rails in the region. Previously, Singapore Gulf Bank tapped Standard Chartered to improve cross-border settlement and multi-currency payment services across Middle East and Asia corridors.

Stablecoin competition keeps rising

The bank-led USDC service comes as competition around stablecoin access grows. As crypto.news reported, Circle shares fell 17.5% after Russell Growth removals and the launch of Open USD, a rival stablecoin backed by a large group of partners.

Banks and fintechs are also building more stablecoin infrastructure directly. Checker raised $8 million to help banks and fintechs launch stablecoin products through a single API.