The deal brings together CoinMENA’s VARA-licensed crypto platform and Standard Chartered’s global banking network, a sign that the gap between digital assets and traditional finance in the region is closing fast
Dubai, UAE, 17 June 2026: CoinMENA FZE, a VARA-licensed crypto broker-dealer serving the MENA region, has announced a new banking agreement with Standard Chartered. It is a practical step forward for both companies, giving CoinMENA a stronger fiat payment infrastructure as its customer base grows, and making it one of the clearest examples yet of a global bank and a regulated digital asset firm actually working together in the UAE.
In practice, CoinMENA will use Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure to handle fiat inflows and outflows for its customers. That means safeguarded client money accounts, faster settlement rails, and virtual account management that gives customers a clearer, quicker experience every time they move money.
It is also built with growth in mind. As CoinMENA expands, the setup supports liquidity settlement with global counterparties and keeps its fiat infrastructure solid across a regulated ecosystem that is only getting bigger.
Rola Abu Manneh, Chief Executive Officer, UAE, Middle East, and Pakistan, Standard Chartered, said:
“The UAE has established itself as one of the world’s leading regulatory environments for digital assets, creating real opportunities for regulated firms and established financial institutions to work together. As the sector matures, trusted banking infrastructure will remain essential to its long-term development. We look forward to supporting CoinMENA’s growth in the UAE.”
Dina Sam’an and Talal Tabbaa, Co-Founders of CoinMENA Group, said in a joint statement:
“As digital assets mature globally, the institutions shaping finance need to bridge innovation with trust at scale. This agreement reflects a broader regional shift: regulated platforms are joining mainstream financial infrastructure rather than operating alongside it. We believe the industry’s future depends on strong banking, regulatory, and operational foundations, not just technology. Partnering with Standard Chartered reinforces that vision and our continued investment in institutional-grade infrastructure for customers across MENA.”
For the MENA region, this kind of deal matters. It shows that digital asset platforms with the right regulatory foundations are no longer knocking on the door of mainstream finance; they are walking straight in. CoinMENA says it will continue to build out its features and services as it expands across the region.
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About CoinMENA
CoinMENA Group is a digital asset platform built for the MENA region, designed to give both new and experienced investors a straightforward, secure way into crypto. In the UAE, CoinMENA FZE is licensed by Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a broker-dealer virtual asset service provider. In Bahrain, CoinMENA B.S.C. (c) holds a category 3 crypto asset service provider licence from the Central Bank of Bahrain. Competitive fees, deep liquidity, and a genuine focus on education sit at the heart of what CoinMENA does to be the most trusted place in the region to buy and manage digital assets. Find out more at www.coinmena.com. Follow CoinMENA Group on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.
About Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Its purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through diversity, with its heritage and values expressed in its brand promise: here for good.
Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.
For more stories and expert opinions, visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
