Standard Chartered expands its institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE

Standard Chartered today announced the expansion of its institutional Bitcoin (BTC/USD) and Ether (ETH/USD) spot trading in the UAE through ‘Standard Chartered DIFC’.

This makes Standard Chartered the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer the capability in the market and the only global bank currently offering institutional digital asset spot trading in the region. The move further broadens the bank’s regulated digital asset offering in the UAE by adding execution to its custody offering.

The capability enables eligible institutional clients to access deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading channels. It is integrated into the Bank’s existing platforms, enabling clients to access crypto-asset trading 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, 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.”