Standard Chartered has launched direct cryptocurrency trading for wealthy clients in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first time an international bank has offered such a service in the Gulf nation. The London-based lender said eligible investors can now buy and sell bitcoin and ether through their existing bank accounts without the need for separate digital wallets or third-party exchanges.

The rollout, announced October 14, targets clients classified as professional investors under UAE regulations. Standard Chartered (STAN) received licensing approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the emirate’s dedicated crypto regulator, clearing the way for the service to go live.

A Closed-Loop Model

The bank is operating…