Standard Chartered expanded its digital asset services in the UAE by launching spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether for institutional clients through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) entity. The move makes the bank the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to offer institutional spot crypto trading in the UAE.
For institutional investors, the latest offering provides access to spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether via infrastructure they may already use for traditional financial markets.
Eligible institutional clients can now trade deliverable Bitcoin (BTC/USD) and Ether (ETH/USD) through Standard Chartered’s existing electronic trading platforms. Rather than requiring clients to use a separate crypto-focused system, the service is built into the bank’s established trading channels, including interfaces familiar to foreign exchange users.
The offering gives institutional investors another route into the cryptocurrency market while keeping their trading activity within a regulated banking environment. Clients can also choose where their trades are settled, with Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody service available alongside other custodians.
Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, said, “The UAE has developed a clear digital assets regulatory framework that supports institutional participation and innovation. Extending our Bitcoin and Ether spot trading capability to institutional clients is a significant step in broadening our regulated digital asset proposition in the market. By combining execution with secure custody, governance and the connectivity of a global bank, we are providing clients with a more integrated way to participate in digital asset markets.”
The new trading service adds another layer to Standard Chartered’s digital asset business in the UAE. The bank launched its digital asset custody service in the country in September 2024, giving institutional clients a regulated option for holding digital assets. The latest move effectively brings trading and custody closer together within its UAE offering.
Christopher Parsons, senior executive officer at Standard Chartered DIFC, said the launch demonstrates how the financial centre enables global institutions to deploy regulated digital asset services across the region.
“DIFC provides an established platform for international financial institutions to deploy global capabilities across markets. Extending our institutional digital asset trading capability through the Centre demonstrates the strength of that model, combining Standard Chartered’s global markets expertise and network with a regulated base from which we can serve clients across the region,” he said.
Standard Chartered first entered institutional spot crypto trading through its UK branch in July 2025. At the time, it became the first G-SIB to offer deliverable spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether to institutional clients. The UAE launch now extends that capability into one of the region’s rapidly developing digital asset markets.
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The UAE launch is part of Standard Chartered’s wider push into digital assets. Its strategy covers custody, trading and tokenization through its Corporate and Investment Bank, alongside its involvement in businesses such as Zodia Markets and Libeara. The initiative also reflects the growing overlap between conventional banking and digital assets as financial institutions respond to demand for regulated crypto services.