RAKBANK celebrated the official unveiling of its crypto brokerage as a service in collaboration with Bitpanda, with a major event at the Museum of the Future. More than 250 attendees, including clients, crypto industry leaders, media, and influencers, joined the occasion.
The launch showcased RAKBANK’s new service, which allows customers to buy, sell, and exchange cryptocurrencies directly through Bitpanda’s regulated platform. Transactions are processed entirely in AED, removing both currency conversion costs and transfer fees. Customers can trade seamlessly using their RAKBANK current or savings accounts, without needing to move funds to external crypto exchanges.
Alongside the launch, RAKBANK confirmed the expansion of its partnership with Bitpanda. Customers can now trade 16 different cryptocurrencies, doubling the number available at the outset. This development highlights the bank’s commitment to regulated digital asset innovation, while broadening access and choice for those engaging with crypto. Security and compliance remain central to this growth strategy.
The evening included remarks from RAKBANK Group CEO Raheel Ahmed and Bitpanda Co-Founder and Co-CEO Eric Demuth, followed by a panel discussion led by RAKBANK’s Group Chief Customer Officer DJ Choi. Representatives from Bitpanda, BlackRock, and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) examined the global direction of digital assets and the emerging opportunities in the UAE market.
Raheel Ahmed, Group CEO of RAKBANK, commented: “This launch keeps us at the forefront of innovation in the UAE in line with our stated mission of being a digital bank with a human touch. By enabling AED crypto trading directly through our award-winning app, in collaboration with a leading crypto trading platform, we are removing barriers by making it simple for all customers to access and navigate the world of digital assets in a secure manner. We are proud to be the first conventional bank in the UAE to offer this service in a fully regulated way.”
Lukas Enzersdorfer-Konrad, Co-CEO of Bitpanda, added: “We built Bitpanda Technology Solutions with the vision that traditional banks would be key to global crypto adoption, and that they would need a solid, secure, and regulated partner. This launch proves we are the best partner globally for that, enabling the first conventional bank in the UAE to give its citizens access to digital assets”.
The service is now live for all eligible RAKBANK customers holding AED current or savings accounts.