Standard Chartered offers BTC and ETH spot trading in UAE

Standard Chartered expanded institutional Bitcoin (BTC/USD) and Ether (ETH/USD) deliverable spot trading into the United Arab Emirates via Standard Chartered DIFC. The bank is the first Global Systemically Important Bank to offer deliverable spot crypto trading in the UAE and is the only global bank currently providing institutional digital asset spot trading in the region.

Eligible institutional clients in the UAE can access deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trades through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading channels. The channels are integrated into the bank’s existing platforms and can be accessed via foreign-exchange trading interfaces. Clients may settle trades with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered’s digital asset custody service launched in September 2024.

Standard Chartered first offered institutional deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its UK branch in July 2025. The DIFC-based service extends that capability into the UAE and pairs the bank’s execution tools with custody and governance under a regulated framework.

Rola Abu Manneh, chief executive officer for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, commented: “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 broadens 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.”

Christopher Parsons, senior executive officer at Standard Chartered DIFC, added: “DIFC provides an established platform for international financial institutions to deploy global capabilities across markets. Launching our institutional digital asset trading capability through the Centre pairs the bank’s global markets expertise and network with a regulated base to serve clients across the region.”

The UAE offering forms part of Standard Chartered’s broader digital assets strategy within its Corporate and Investment Bank. That strategy includes custody, trading and tokenisation services and is supported through venture partners such as Zodia Markets and Libeara. The bank said the combined services aim to support institutional clients’ digital asset needs through regulated infrastructure and services.