Standard Chartered launches Bitcoin and Ether trading for affluent UAE clients

Standard Chartered has introduced Bitcoin and Ether trading for affluent clients in the UAE, allowing eligible professional investors to buy and sell the two cryptocurrencies directly through their existing bank accounts, without separate wallets or third-party platforms Fintech News Middle East. The service carries licensing approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) and is initially limited to Professional Investor clients.

The bank developed the offering through its Wealth and Retail Banking and Corporate and Investment Banking units, partnering with Zodia Markets, a digital-asset firm backed by SC Ventures. Trades are executed within Standard Chartered’s own systems, with custody and settlement managed end-to-end in a closed-loop model, which the bank says reduces exposure to third-party wallet risks.

Ayesha Abbas, Managing Director and Head of Affluent and Wealth Solutions for EMEA at Standard Chartered, described the solution as a “simple and familiar way” for clients to access Bitcoin and Ethereum while maintaining the governance standards expected from the bank. The launch follows earlier institutional spot-trading extensions in the DIFC and complements existing crypto-ETF, structured product and OTC derivative offerings.

Our read: The bank’s VARA-cleared, wallet-free model lowers operational friction for high-net-worth investors, signalling a shift toward integrated crypto services that B2B fintech marketers may need to incorporate into go-to-market narratives.