Standard Chartered Offers Institutional BTC, ETH Spot Trading in UAE

Standard Chartered has become the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to offer institutional digital asset spot trading in the UAE, launching BTC and ETH spot trading for eligible institutions through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity.

The service is integrated with Standard Chartered's existing platforms, allowing clients to trade digital assets through the same type of foreign exchange interfaces they already use. Clients can settle their trades through a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered's digital asset custody service in the UAE.

Standard Chartered initially introduced institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading via its UK branch in July 2025. The UAE launch now extends that service into the Middle East, building on the bank's existing digital asset custody offering, which was launched in the UAE in September 2024.