UAE First: Standard Chartered Offers Institutional Bitcoin, Ether Spot Trading

Standard Chartered has become the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to offer institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE. The bank launched this service through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity, expanding its regulated digital asset services.

The service allows eligible institutions to trade deliverable BTC/USD and ETH/USD through Standard Chartered's electronic trading channels, which are integrated with the bank's existing platforms. This means 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 extends this service into the Middle East and comes as financial institutions expand their involvement in regulated cryptocurrency markets.