- Standard Chartered becomes the first G-SIB to offer institutional spot crypto trading in the UAE.
- Eligible institutions can trade deliverable Bitcoin and Ether through existing FX interfaces.
- Clients can settle with their chosen custodian, including the bank’s UAE custody service.
Standard Chartered has launched institutional crypto trading for Bitcoin and Ether in the UAE through its DIFC branch. The service makes the bank the first global systemically important bank to provide the capability in the market. Eligible clients receive deliverable crypto assets, rather than derivatives, through electronic channels already used for foreign exchange trading.
Standard Chartered opens deliverable crypto trading in UAE
Institutions can conduct Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through BTC/USD and ETH/USD pairs on the bank’s electronic platforms. The interfaces already support traditional currency transactions, which reduces the need for separate execution systems.
Standard Chartered allows clients to choose the custodian settling each transaction. Available options include the bank’s regulated UAE digital asset custody service. This structure separates execution from storage when institutions use another custodian.
Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, linked the expansion to the country’s regulatory framework. She said the service combines execution, custody, governance and the bank’s global network.
DIFC platform combines established trading and custody rails
The launch adds execution to custody infrastructure introduced in September 2024. The Dubai Financial Services Authority licensed that service within DIFC. The service initially supported Bitcoin and Ether, while Brevan Howard Digital became the inaugural client.
The bank also supports a collateral-mirroring arrangement with OKX, launched in April 2025. Institutions can hold eligible assets with the bank while using mirrored balances for exchange trading. The arrangement keeps collateral off the exchange.
The framework added BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenized Treasury fund in April 2026. Eligible clients retain the fund’s ownership and yield while OKX manages margining and liquidation. Brevan Howard and Franklin Templeton supported the initial UAE program.
Standard Chartered first introduced deliverable institutional spot trading through its UK branch in July 2025. That service also routes crypto trades through existing FX interfaces.
The UAE model lets clients settle with the bank or another custodian. Christopher Parsons, senior executive officer at Standard Chartered DIFC, said DIFC supports regional deployment of global services.
The bank’s wider digital asset business includes trading, custody and tokenization. Zodia Markets provides institutional trading infrastructure, while Libeara develops tokenized products.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. CoinCryptoNewz is not responsible for any losses incurred. Readers should do their own research before making financial decisions.
