Standard Chartered has launched institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE.

The DFSA-regulated offering runs through Standard Chartered DIFC, adding execution to the custody service the bank already provides in the market.

Eligible institutional clients can trade deliverable BTC/USD and ETH/USD spot pairs through Standard Chartered’s existing FX trading channels.

They can settle trades with a custodian of their choice, including the bank’s own digital asset custody service, which launched in the UAE in September 2024 with Brevan Howard Digital as its first client.

“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,”

said Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered.

“Extending our institutional digital asset trading capability through the Centre combines Standard Chartered’s global markets expertise and network with a regulated base to serve clients across the region,”

said Christopher Parsons, Senior Executive Officer at Standard Chartered DIFC.

Standard Chartered introduced institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its UK branch in July 2025.

The UAE launch builds on the digital assets business it has developed in the market since 2024.

The offering sits within Standard Chartered’s wider digital assets strategy, spanning custody, trading and tokenisation through its Corporate and Investment Bank and ventures including Zodia Markets and Libeara.

Featured image credit: Edited by Fintech News UAE, based on image by srijaroen via Magnific