Standard Chartered Launches Spot Bitcoin and Ether Trading in UAE, September 3, 2026

Standard Chartered announced on September 3 that it now offers institutional clients spot Bitcoin and Ether trading in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first Global Systemically Important Bank to deliver the service in the country. The offering combines execution with secure custody, governance, and global bank connectivity. The move marks the bank's third major crypto initiative in as many years. Standard Chartered launched digital asset custody services in the UAE in 2024 and established a crypto trading desk in London in 2025, integrating it into the bank's forex trading operation. In 2025, the bank also debuted Libeara, a blockchain unit designed to help institutions tokenize traditional assets. According to Standard Chartered CEO Rola Abu Manneh, the UAE's clear digital assets regulatory framework supports institutional participation and innovation, making it an attractive jurisdiction for crypto settlement and trading operations. The offering targets eligible institutional clients but the bank has not disclosed minimum asset thresholds, fee structures, or whether retail expansion is planned. The service remains the first of its kind from a global bank in the UAE, per reported coverage. Standard Chartered did not disclose the specific custody and settlement mechanics, whether custody is physical delivery or cash settlement, or any other operational details beyond the announcement.