Standard Chartered expands Bitcoin and Ether trading to professional investors in UAE
Standard Chartered has extended its Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) trading services to wealthy clients in the United Arab Emirates who qualify as professional investors. Eligible investors can now trade these cryptocurrencies within their existing Standard Chartered bank accounts, reflecting the bank's move towards integrating digital assets into mainstream wealth management.
Investor Eligibility and Trading Expansion
Standard Chartered requires that investors have a minimum of 4 million dirhams (approximately $1.1 million) in net assets, excluding their primary residence, along with sufficient investment knowledge and experience, or representation by a licensed entity.
Qualified clients can now trade Bitcoin and Ether within their existing accounts at Standard Chartered, simplifying access to these digital assets within a familiar banking framework.
Digital Asset Market and Regional Developments
Samir Subberwal, global head of wealth solutions at Standard Chartered, highlighted that digital assets are increasingly becoming part of mainstream wealth discussions, with clients seeking the security and confidence of investing through a regulated institution.
The move follows the bank’s launch of crypto trading services for institutional clients in the UAE earlier in September.
Other market participants are similarly expanding digital asset offerings in the region. Payward, the parent company of crypto exchange Kraken, recently received approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to provide crypto services locally. Additionally, neobank Revolut obtained in-principle approval from VARA in July to offer crypto-related services.
Why it matters
Standard Chartered’s expansion of cryptocurrency trading to professional investors in the UAE reflects the increasing integration of digital assets into traditional financial services in the Middle East. By setting stringent eligibility criteria, the bank ensures regulatory compliance and risk mitigation while meeting affluent clients' demand for new investment opportunities within a trusted and regulated institution. This development aligns with the broader trend of professionalizing the crypto asset market and reinforces the UAE’s positioning as a hub for financial innovation in the region.
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