Standard Chartered Launches Direct Bitcoin and Ether Trading for Wealthy UAE Clients

Standard Chartered introduced a cryptocurrency trading service in the United Arab Emirates, allowing professional investors to buy and sell Bitcoin and Ether directly through their existing bank accounts. The system uses a closed-loop model that manages custody and settlement internally, eliminating the need for clients to interact with separate crypto wallets or third-party exchanges. The trading operation runs through Zodia Markets, a platform backed by the bank’s SC Ventures unit, following regulatory licensing approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. This marks a global first for the London-based lender, extending its institutional digital asset offerings to affluent retail clients for the first time in any market.