Standard Chartered Brings Institutional Crypto Trading to UAE

Standard Chartered has expanded its institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading to the United Arab Emirates through its DIFC arm.

The service, which offers deliverable spot trading, is available to institutional clients in the UAE and marks a significant milestone for the bank, becoming the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer such services in the country.

The launch adds trade execution to a custody service Standard Chartered already runs in the UAE, allowing clients to settle trades through a custodian of their choice, including the bank's own digital asset custody solution.

Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, said: 'The UAE has developed a clear digital assets regulatory framework that supports institutional participation and innovation.'