Standard Chartered Offers Institutional Bitcoin Trading in UAE
Standard Chartered has become the first Global Systemically Important Bank to launch institutional Bitcoin trading in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The bank announced its debut of Bitcoin spot trading for eligible institutional clients on Thursday. This move follows Standard Chartered's earlier introduction of digital asset custody services in the UAE in 2024.
The bank claims that the UAE has developed a clear digital assets regulatory framework, supporting institutional participation and innovation. By combining execution with secure custody, governance, and global banking connectivity, Standard Chartered aims to provide clients with an integrated way to participate in digital asset markets.
This is not the first time Standard Chartered has ventured into cryptocurrency trading. In 2025, the bank set up a Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies trading desk in London, making it one of the first global banks to enter spot cryptocurrency trading. The bank also debuted a blockchain unit called Libeara in the same year to help institutions tokenize traditional assets.