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

Standard Chartered has launched direct spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for affluent wealth management clients in the UAE, marking the first service of its kind from an international bank in the region. Regulated by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the platform allows qualified professional investors with at least AED 4 million in net assets to trade directly from their bank accounts. Developed alongside SC Ventures-backed Zodia Markets, trades use a closed-loop framework with internal custody, order sizes between $50 and $50,000, and spreads up to 2%.