Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Standard Chartered on Thursday announced the extension of its institutional spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether to the UAE through Standard Chartered DIFC.
In a statement, the bank said it is the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer the capability in the UAE and the only global bank currently providing institutional digital-asset spot trading in the region.
The service allows eligible institutional clients to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ether against the US dollar through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading channels. It is integrated into the bank’s existing platforms, allowing clients to trade crypto assets through interfaces similar to those used for foreign-exchange transactions.
As the service provides deliverable spot trading, the transactions involve the purchase or sale of the underlying cryptocurrencies at prevailing market prices. Clients can settle the trades with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered’s digital-asset custody service, which was launched in September 2024.
“Deliverable spot trading” means the transaction is settled using the cryptocurrencies themselves, rather than through derivatives that merely track their prices. After a trade, the Bitcoin or Ether is transferred to a custodian selected by the client.
Eligible institutional clients can buy and sell Bitcoin and Ether at prevailing market prices through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading platforms. The transactions involve delivery of the underlying cryptocurrencies, which can be settled with a custodian selected by the client.”
The new capability adds trade execution to the bank’s existing digital-asset custody offering in the UAE. Standard Chartered DIFC is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority.
Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, said the UAE had developed a clear regulatory framework for digital assets that supported 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,” Abu Manneh said.
“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,” she added.
Christopher Parsons, Senior Executive Officer of Standard Chartered DIFC, said the Dubai International Financial Centre provided an established platform for international financial institutions to deploy their global capabilities.
“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,” Parsons said.
Standard Chartered first introduced institutional spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether through its UK branch in July 2025. The UAE launch extends that service to a market where the bank has been developing its institutional digital-asset offering.
The bank said its broader digital-assets strategy encompasses custody, trading and tokenisation through its Corporate and Investment Bank. Its ventures ecosystem also provides digital-asset capabilities through Zodia Markets and Libeara.
