Standard Chartered Breaks Ground with UAE Institutional Crypto Trading

Standard Chartered has launched spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for institutional clients in the UAE through its entity regulated by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This move makes Standard Chartered the first global bank to offer institutional digital asset trading in the region.

The bank's electronic trading channels, integrated into existing platforms, will allow eligible institutional clients to access spot Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading. This expansion of regulated crypto assets offering in the UAE comes after Standard Chartered launched digital asset custody services in September 2024.

This new service is a significant milestone for the bank's presence in the region, particularly with its partnership with CoinMENA enabling fiat on- and off-ramps, client money accounts, and virtual account-based transaction management. Other companies, such as Capital.com and Revolut, are also seeking regulatory approval to launch digital asset offerings in the UAE.