Rain Financial Inc., a regulated crypto brokerage and custodian operating in the GCC, has entered into a multi-jurisdictional banking agreement with Standard Chartered covering Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Announced on May 19, 2026, the arrangement is designed to support Rain’s retail and institutional clients with banking infrastructure across key regional markets. The agreement reflects the growing importance of regulated financial services partnerships as digital asset companies seek stronger links with established banking institutions.
Strengthening Banking Support Across Two Markets
Under the agreement, Standard Chartered will provide Rain with banking services in both Bahrain and the UAE, including segregated client money accounts, fiat settlement capabilities, and correspondent banking support. The structure is expected to help Rain manage customer funds and regional transactions more efficiently while operating within established regulatory frameworks. Settlement support will be available in major fiat currencies, including the UAE dirham, Bahraini dinar, and US dollar.
Supporting Regulated Digital Asset Growth
Rain said the partnership strengthens the operational base for its activities across the region as digital asset markets continue to mature. The company is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain and the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Abu Dhabi Global Market, giving it a regulated presence in two important Gulf financial hubs. By working with Standard Chartered, Rain aims to reinforce the systems that support fund custody, movement, and settlement for customers across its group.
Regional Financial Services Momentum
The deal comes as Bahrain and the UAE continue positioning themselves as regional centres for financial innovation, supported by evolving rules for digital assets and broader institutional interest. Standard Chartered’s regional leadership highlighted the role of banking infrastructure in supporting firms that operate within regulated environments. Rain’s co-founder AJ Nelson also pointed to the importance of strong banking relationships in enabling secure and efficient operations for crypto businesses.
Founded in 2017, Rain has grown into a GCC-based crypto brokerage and custodian with more than two million users and over $11 billion in processed volume since inception. In addition to its Bahrain and ADGM licences, the company is registered with MASAK in Turkey and holds an in-principle approval with Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority. The agreement with Standard Chartered marks a significant step in Rain’s regional expansion strategy and underscores the rising need for reliable banking infrastructure in the regulated digital asset sector.