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Standard Chartered expands UAE Bitcoin and Ether spot trading
03 September 2026 UAE
Image: moofushi/stock.adobe.com
Standard Chartered has expanded its institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading in the UAE through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) location.
According to the firm, this makes it the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer these institutional digital asset spot trading capabilities in the region.
It has also added execution to its custody offering in the UAE.
Eligible institutional clients can access deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading channels, integrated into the bank’s existing platforms.
Clients will be able to choose their custodian, including Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody solution.
Speaking on the expansion, Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, comments: “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.”
Christopher Parsons, senior executive officer at Standard Chartered DIFC, says: “DIFC provides an established platform for international financial institutions to deploy global capabilities across markets.
“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.”
Standard Chartered says that its UAE expanded offering builds on its broader digital asset strategy, spanning custody, trading, and tokenisation capabilities through its corporate and investment bank.
The firm’s ventures ecosystem has extended these capabilities through Zodia Markets and Libeara.
The bank’s institutional spot crypto trading was launched through its UK branch in July 2025.
According to the firm, this makes it the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer these institutional digital asset spot trading capabilities in the region.
It has also added execution to its custody offering in the UAE.
Eligible institutional clients can access deliverable Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through Standard Chartered’s electronic trading channels, integrated into the bank’s existing platforms.
Clients will be able to choose their custodian, including Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody solution.
Speaking on the expansion, Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, comments: “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.”
Christopher Parsons, senior executive officer at Standard Chartered DIFC, says: “DIFC provides an established platform for international financial institutions to deploy global capabilities across markets.
“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.”
Standard Chartered says that its UAE expanded offering builds on its broader digital asset strategy, spanning custody, trading, and tokenisation capabilities through its corporate and investment bank.
The firm’s ventures ecosystem has extended these capabilities through Zodia Markets and Libeara.
The bank’s institutional spot crypto trading was launched through its UK branch in July 2025.
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