Standard Chartered HK Ignites Crypto ETF Boom: High-Net-Worth Surge Signals November Launch

Standard Chartered Hong Kong announced on October 21, 2025, that it will roll out virtual asset ETF trading services in November via its wealth management platform, driven by robust client demand revealed in the "Hong Kong High-End Customer Digital Assets Study 2025." This HKMA-backed survey of over 500 high-net-worth individuals (with HK$1 million+ in liquid assets) found 75% expressing interest in digital assets, 80% planning investments within the next year, and 70% optimistic about offerings from local note-issuing banks; over 30% already hold crypto, typically allocating 20% or less of portfolios across 2-3 platforms, underscoring a push for diversification over speculation.

The launch aligns with Hong Kong's accelerating crypto ecosystem, highlighted by the SFC's approval of Asia's first Solana (SOL) spot ETF on October 21—set to list October 27—building on Bitcoin and Ethereum spot ETFs debuted in April 2024, positioning the city ahead of Singapore and Dubai as a regulated digital asset hub. Standard Chartered's move extends its prior expansions, including July 2025's Bitcoin and Ether spot trading for institutions via its UK branch, August 2024's Mox Bank debut as Hong Kong's first virtual bank for crypto ETF trading, and 2025 custody enhancements with Polygon for tokenized funds, all targeting high-net-worth clients for seamless portfolio integration.

This initiative bolsters institutional validation amid a competitive landscape where Standard Chartered joins HSBC in offering crypto ETF access, with competitive fees modeled on Mox's 0.12% for HK-listed ETFs and 0.01% per share for US ones; however, survey-identified challenges like price volatility, platform security, and educational gaps prompt a strategic focus on client education, as emphasized by Head of Digital Banking Willina Mak, to foster confidence and mainstream adoption in Asia's wealth management sector.