Multinational banking institution Standard Chartered revealed on Thursday the launch of spot bitcoin trading for institutional customers located in the United Arab Emirates.
According to the bank, qualifying institutional clients will have access to this offering, which marks a first-of-its-kind service within the nation.
Previously, Standard Chartered introduced digital asset custody solutions in the UAE in 2024, preceding its rollout of spot cryptocurrency trading in international markets by several months.
JUST IN: Standard Chartered Bank becomes first Global Systemically Important Bank to launch institutional Bitcoin trading in the UAE
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— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) September 3, 2026
“The UAE has developed a clear digital assets regulatory framework that supports institutional participation and innovation,” stated Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer for the UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan at Standard Chartered.
Abu Manneh further noted, “By combining execution with secure custody, governance and the connectivity of a global bank, we are providing clients with a more integrated way to participate in digital asset markets.”
Back in 2025, Standard Chartered established a dedicated trading desk for bitcoin and additional cryptocurrencies based in London, positioning itself among the earliest global financial institutions to venture into spot crypto trading.
This cryptocurrency trading desk was integrated into the institution’s foreign exchange operations. During the same year, the bank also unveiled Libeara, a blockchain division designed to assist institutions in tokenizing traditional asset classes.
Recently, Standard Chartered expressed expectations that bitcoin’s valuation will keep climbing throughout the year. In an investor note released in August, Geoffrey Kendrick, the bank’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, suggested that a year-end target of $100,000 might be too conservative.
“Once investors remember how quickly prices can accelerate to the topside, and we get past the 6 October date (12 months after the all-time high) an overshoot towards the all-time high (USD126k) before year-end may be possible,” Kendrick remarked, pointing out that the current bear market for bitcoin stands as the mildest ever recorded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What service did Standard Chartered launch in the UAE?
Standard Chartered launched spot bitcoin trading for eligible institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first service of its kind in the country.
When did Standard Chartered launch its crypto custody in the UAE?
The bank introduced digital asset custody services in the UAE in 2024, months before rolling out spot crypto trading in other international markets.
Where was Standard Chartered’s first cryptocurrency trading desk established?
In 2025, the bank established a trading desk for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in London, which was integrated into its forex trading operation.
What is the bank’s price prediction for bitcoin?
Geoffrey Kendrick, Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Digital Assets Research, suggested that an overshoot toward an all-time high of $126,000 before the end of the year may be possible.
