Standard Chartered Introduces Spot Bitcoin and Ether Trading for UAE Institutions
Standard Chartered has launched spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether aimed at institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant milestone as the first global systemically important bank to provide this service in the region. The announcement was made on Thursday, indicating that eligible clients can trade these cryptocurrencies through the bank's electronic trading channels, which are integrated into existing platforms.
This new offering allows clients to engage in spot trading, which involves the direct buying and selling of the underlying assets, as opposed to trading futures or derivatives. Rola Abu Manneh, the bank's chief executive for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan, emphasized that this development is a crucial step in enhancing the bank's regulated digital asset services in the market.
Standard Chartered previously initiated institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its UK branch in July 2025, becoming the first G-SIB to offer such services. The UAE launch expands the bank's digital asset business, which began with digital asset custody services in September 2024. Clients utilizing the new trading service can settle their transactions with a custodian of their choice, including Standard Chartered's custody platform.
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Source: KLEA News