Standard Chartered launches UAE crypto trading

Standard Chartered has become the first Global Systemically Important Bank to offer institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE, expanding its regulated digital asset offering through the Dubai International Financial Centre.

The bank's new service enables eligible institutional clients to access deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its electronic trading channels, using familiar FX interfaces.

The offering, operated through Standard Chartered DIFC and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), adds trading execution to the bank's existing digital asset custody services in the region.

Clients can settle trades with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered's own digital asset custody service, which launched in September 2024.

Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, said the expansion reflects the UAE's development of a regulatory framework designed to support institutional participation in digital assets.

The launch builds on Standard Chartered's existing institutional crypto trading capability in the UK. In July 2025, the bank became the first G-SIB to offer deliverable spot crypto-asset trading to institutional clients through its UK branch.

Standard Chartered said the UAE launch forms part of its wider digital asset strategy spanning custody, trading and tokenisation. Its broader digital assets ecosystem also includes Zodia Markets and Libeara.