SC Ventures

Industry News

Standard Chartered Launches Cryptocurrency Trading for Affluent Clients in the UAE

Standard Chartered has rolled out cryptocurrency trading for eligible affluent clients in the United Arab Emirates, allowing them to trade Bitcoin and Ether directly through existing bank accounts. The service is regulated by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and marks a global first for the bank. Developed with SC Ventures-backed Zodia Markets, the platform handles custody and settlement via a closed-loop system.

Industry News

Standard Chartered, Mashreq, and LuLu Launch Hal SME Platform in UAE

Standard Chartered, Mashreq, and LuLu Financial Holdings have launched Hal, a new digital B2B marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UAE. Unveiled at Investopia Bridge 2026, the platform connects SMEs with buyers, suppliers, and essential financial, tech, and logistics partners. Ecosystem partners including Beehive, Microsoft, Visa, and Aramex have signed initial cooperation agreements.