Standard Chartered, the British bank, has introduced a direct trading service for high-net-worth clients in the UAE, allowing transactions in Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Initially, this service is exclusively available to professional investors. Transactions are conducted through existing bank accounts, with Standard Chartered managing the custody and settlement within its proprietary closed model, eliminating the need for separate cryptocurrency wallets. This launch follows the bank's acquisition of a license from the Dubai Financial Services Authority (VARA).