Standard Chartered launches institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in UAE

Standard Chartered has introduced institutional spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) in the United Arab Emirates through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) branch. The service allows eligible institutional clients to execute deliverable crypto trades using the bank’s existing electronic trading and foreign‑exchange interfaces.

Trading and settlement options

Clients can trade BTC and ETH on the bank’s platform and settle the resulting assets with a custodian of their choice. Options include Standard Chartered’s own UAE digital‑asset custody service, which has been operating since September 2024, as well as third‑party custodians.

Integration with existing infrastructure

The offering builds on a spot‑trading model first launched in the United Kingdom in July 2025, where the bank integrated crypto execution into its traditional FX trading channels. The UAE rollout extends that model to a market where Standard Chartered already provides regulated digital‑asset custody.

Regulatory backdrop

Standard Chartered’s CEO for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, Rola Abu Manneh, highlighted the supportive regulatory framework in the region, noting that the service broadens the bank’s regulated digital‑asset proposition.

Custody flexibility

Institutions are not required to hold their crypto with the bank; they may choose any licensed custodian, allowing separation of trade execution from asset storage. The bank’s custody platform remains an available option for clients seeking an integrated solution.

Related digital‑asset services

Standard Chartered’s digital‑asset activities in the UAE also include a collateral‑mirroring program with OKX, launched in April 2025, and an extension in April 2026 that permits the use of BlackRock’s tokenized U.S. Treasury fund (BUIDL) as collateral.

Global context

Beyond the UAE, the bank continues to expand regulated digital‑asset services, such as distributing the HKDAP stablecoin in Hong Kong and planning tokenized money‑market fund services later in 2026.