Standard Chartered Bank brings its spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading to UAE

Standard Chartered Bank, a global systemically important Bak, is now offering Institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE, regulated under DFSA in DIFC.

As per the announcement, this makes Standard Chartered the first G-SIB bank to offer this not only globally but in the GCC and MENA region. Standard Chartered can now offer both crypto spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum as well as custodial services.

Eligible institutional clients will have access to Bitcoin and Ethereum spot trading through the bank’s electronic trading channels which are integrated into its existing platforms, allowing customers to trade through familiar FX interfaces.

Clients may settle trades with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered’s digital asset custody solution that was launched in September 2024.

Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, explained that extending their Bitcoin and Ether spot trading to institutional clients is a significant step in their regulated digital asset proposition. She noted, “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.”

Christopher Parsons, Senior Executive Officer, Standard Chartered DIFC, also added “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.”

Standard Chartered first introduced institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its UK branch in July 2025, becoming the first G-SIB to offer deliverable spot crypto-asset trading to institutional clients. The UAE launch extends that established global capability into a market where the Bank has been building its institutional grade digital assets offering.