Standard Chartered Bank has launched cryptocurrency trading services for high-net-worth clients in the UAE, becoming the first international bank to offer such services in the region. Licensed by the UAE Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the platform enables professional investors to directly buy and sell Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). The service integrates with existing Standard Chartered accounts, eliminating the need for separate wallets or third-party trading platforms. This initial phase targets professional investors in the UAE, marking a significant expansion of regulated crypto access through traditional banking infrastructure.