Key highlights:

  • Standard Chartered has expanded its crypto services in the UAE
  • The bank has become the first G-SIB to launch institutional spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum
  • The bank provides more flexibility to choose their custodians as per their preferences

Standard Chartered has made another significant move in the crypto space, expanding its digital asset offerings in the UAE. The bank reportedly launched institutional spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum. With this move, the financial giant has become the first global systemically important bank (G-SIB) to introduce regulated crypto trading services in the Arab nation.

Standard Chartered launches institutional crypto trading in the UAE

The latest reports on September 3 uncover Standard Chartered’s historic move to expand its crypto trading services in the UAE. The bank introduced institutional spot trading for Bitcoin and Ether. As noted by the bank, this makes the first move by a global systemically important bank to bring crypto trading services of this kind in the country.

Reportedly, the service will be offered via Standard Chartered DIFC, the bank’s entity in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) under the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). The launch allows institutional clients to access the service through the bank’s existing electronic trading platforms. Settlements have also become more flexible, with trades now allowed to be settled through a custodian. Clients can even choose Standard Chartered’s own digital asset custody service in the DIFC, which was launched in September 2024.

Why Standard Chartered’s crypto trading launch matters?

Significantly, Standard Chartered’s crypto trading launch in the UAE deserves attention mainly for two reasons. While the bank is offering actual spot trading, it is also giving clients flexibility over how the assets could be settled.

In detail, deliverable spot trading allows institutional clients to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ethereum directly. They do not need to use products like the exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that only track the value of the asset. This provides investors a more direct way to gain exposure to the underlying assets.

At the same time, the settlement process also benefits the clients. It gives more flexibility and choices for them. They can use a custodian of their preference, including the bank’s own digital asset custody service in the UAE.

Interestingly, the move provides a more complete and convenient way for clients to directly access the crypto market. They no longer want to rely on a separate exchange for trading and another provider for custody, making it easier for traditional financial platforms to use the crypto space.

Who will regulate the bank’s UAE crypto service?

Notably, Standard Chartered’s new spot trading service in the UAE comes under the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) within the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). This regulatory aspect is noteworthy as the DIFC has its own financial rules. It operates separately from Dubai’s onshore virtual asset market, which comes under the oversight of the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA).

Regarding its cryptocurrency regulation, the DIFC launched its own crypto-token rules in 2022. The rules were later updated in October 2025, with the changes taking effect in January 2026. The updated rules imposed huge responsibilities on authorized firms. This means that the firms are required to assess whether cryptocurrencies are suitable for their clients. The rules also focus on governance, disclosures, and risk management.