Standard Chartered has launched deliverable spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) for institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first Global Systemically Important Bank to offer the service in the country.
The service operates through Standard Chartered DIFC, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority. Eligible clients can trade BTC/USD and ETH/USD using the bank’s existing electronic trading infrastructure, including Standard Chartered Markets and FIX API connectivity. The bank’s wider FX operation covers more than 130 currencies across 53 markets.
Trades are deliverable, meaning clients receive the actual underlying digital assets. Institutions can settle with Standard Chartered or another supported custodian, allowing them to separate execution and custody relationships. Standard Chartered launched its DIFC digital-asset custody service in September 2024 after receiving regulatory approval from the Dubai Financial Services Authority, with Brevan Howard Digital as the first client. In 2025, the bank expanded that infrastructure through an arrangement with OKX, with Brevan Howard and Franklin Templeton participating in the initiative.
The UAE rollout follows Standard Chartered’s July 2025 launch of institutional deliverable BTC and ETH spot trading through its UK branch. The bank has also partnered with institutional liquidity provider B2C2 in February 2026 and agreed to acquire Zodia Custody, subject to regulatory approvals. Standard Chartered has identified non-deliverable forwards as part of the planned expansion of its digital-asset trading platform.
Specific details such as the exact launch date, approved client list, minimum trade sizes and trading costs have not yet been disclosed.
