Standard Chartered has launched a cryptocurrency trading service in the United Arab Emirates, allowing eligible professional investors to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ether directly through their existing bank accounts.
Announced on 14 October 2026, the new offering marks another step in the international bank’s expansion into digital assets and strengthens its wealth management services in the UAE.
The service initially targets clients who qualify as Professional Investors, providing access to Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) within Standard Chartered’s existing banking infrastructure.
VARA Approval Supports Cryptocurrency Trading Launch
Standard Chartered said the service had received regulatory approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), enabling the bank to offer cryptocurrency trading to eligible clients.
Unlike conventional cryptocurrency exchanges, the platform operates through a closed-loop system in which transactions, custody and settlement are managed within the bank’s ecosystem.
This structure allows clients to trade digital assets without maintaining separate cryptocurrency wallets or relying on external trading platforms.
The bank also indicated plans to introduce similar services in additional international markets as demand for regulated digital asset investment continues to develop.
Standard Chartered Partners With Zodia Markets
The cryptocurrency trading service was developed through cooperation between Standard Chartered’s Wealth and Retail Banking division and its Corporate and Investment Banking business.
Zodia Markets, a digital asset trading company backed by Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures, also contributed to the development of the offering.
According to the bank, the launch represents the first cryptocurrency trading service of its kind introduced by an international bank for affluent clients in the UAE.
The initiative brings digital asset trading into an established wealth management environment, allowing qualifying investors to access cryptocurrencies alongside traditional banking and investment products.
UAE Strengthens Position as Digital Asset Hub
Samir Subberwal, Global Head of Wealth Solutions, Retail Products, Data & Analytics at Standard Chartered, said the introduction of cryptocurrency trading reflects increasing interest among wealth management clients in digital assets.
He highlighted the importance of providing cryptocurrency investment opportunities through established financial institutions, where clients can access services within a familiar banking environment.
Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan at Standard Chartered, pointed to the UAE’s developing digital asset ecosystem and regulatory framework as important factors supporting the launch.
She also reaffirmed the UAE’s strategic importance to Standard Chartered, identifying the country as one of the bank’s four global wealth hubs.
The new offering aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to establish itself as an international centre for regulated cryptocurrency trading and digital financial services.
Expansion Follows Institutional Crypto Trading Launch
The latest announcement builds on Standard Chartered’s existing cryptocurrency trading operations.
In September 2026, the bank introduced institutional Bitcoin and Ether spot trading through its Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) operations.
That expansion followed the launch of institutional cryptocurrency spot trading through Standard Chartered’s UK branch in July 2025.
The introduction of services for eligible wealth clients in the UAE extends the bank’s digital asset offering beyond its institutional trading activities.
Wider Digital Asset Investment Options
Standard Chartered already provides qualifying wealth management clients with several ways to gain exposure to cryptocurrency markets.
These include cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs) available through its cash equities trading platform, alongside structured investment products and over-the-counter derivatives linked to digital assets.
The newly introduced trading service adds direct Bitcoin and Ether transactions to these existing investment options.
By integrating cryptocurrency trading with traditional banking services, Standard Chartered is expanding its digital asset capabilities while maintaining a focus on regulated financial products and eligible investors.
The bank expects to explore opportunities to extend its cryptocurrency services to other markets as regulatory frameworks evolve and investor demand develops.
