Standard Chartered announced on Wednesday the launch of a bitcoin trading service for affluent clients in the United Arab Emirates. This initiative allows eligible customers to purchase bitcoin directly through their bank accounts without the need for third-party applications or external wallets.
The bank described the offering as the first of its kind by an international bank in the UAE. It follows the institution’s debut of bitcoin trading for institutional clients in the region last month and builds on its 2025 establishment of a crypto trading desk in London.
Key facts
- The service enables affluent UAE clients to buy bitcoin via their bank accounts.
- Standard Chartered manages end-to-end custody and settlement through a closed-loop model.
- No third-party apps or wallets are required for clients to access the service.
- The bank stated it is the first international bank in the UAE to offer this specific cryptocurrency trading capability.
- This retail launch follows the introduction of bitcoin trading for institutional clients in the Arab nation last month.
Why it matters
The bank stated that this launch represents a significant milestone as it brings digital assets into its core wealth offering, addressing client demand for security and trust from a regulated institution.