Standard Chartered starts spot Bitcoin and Ether trading in the UAE

Standard Chartered has begun offering spot trading in Bitcoin and Ether to institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates through its Dubai International Financial Centreregulated entity. The bank said it is the first major global bank to provide this type of digital asset trading access in the UAE, and the first global systemically important bank to do so. Eligible clients can trade through Standard Chartered’s existing electronic platforms. The launch expands the bank’s crypto services in the region after it introduced digital asset custody in the UAE in 2024. It also follows broader activity in the country, where other firms have sought approvals for cryptorelated services and trading products.