Standard Chartered Opens Bitcoin and Ether Trading to UAE Wealth Clients

This service marks the bank's first global foray into direct cryptocurrency trading for affluent individuals. Developed in collaboration with Zodia Markets, the platform allows Professional Investor clients to execute trades, manage custody, and settle transactions without navigating third-party exchanges. The bank intends to mitigate common security risks by keeping the entire process within its own internal infrastructure.

While the bank has not disclosed specific fee structures or investment minimums, the initiative aligns with the UAE’s status as one of Standard Chartered’s four primary global wealth hubs. Rola Abu Manneh, CEO for the UAE, Middle East and Pakistan, noted that the country’s regulatory framework made it the logical choice for this rollout. This move expands upon the bank’s existing institutional trading services, which previously catered only to corporate and professional entities through the Dubai International Financial Centre.