Standard Chartered Launches Bitcoin and Ether Trading for Affluent UAE Clients

Standard Chartered has launched Bitcoin and Ether trading for affluent clients in the UAE through a closed-loop service that prohibits external crypto transfers and charges a spread of up to 2%. The move signals growing institutional adoption of crypto in the Middle East and could encourage other banks to follow. Traders may view this as a positive step for mainstream acceptance, though the closed-loop design limits immediate liquidity impact.