Standard Chartered Pioneers Institutional Crypto Trading in UAE
Standard Chartered has made history by launching institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity. This marks a significant milestone as Standard Chartered becomes the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer deliverable spot crypto trading directly to institutional clients in the Gulf region.
The bank's UAE expansion follows its earlier move in July 2025, when it became the first G-SIB to offer deliverable spot crypto trading to institutional clients through its UK branch. The latest launch extends that capability into the Gulf as Standard Chartered continues to expand its institutional digital asset offering.
This move could accelerate institutional crypto trading across the UAE and boost the tokenization trend in the region. Banks such as Bank of New York Mellon, HSBC, and First Abu Dhabi Bank are already working on projects related to tokenized deposits, crypto custody, and digital bonds and stablecoins.