Standard Chartered's venture capital arm is preparing to raise Capital for a financial services-focused crypto-asset fund, set to launch in 2026.
Standard Chartered is increasing its bet on the cryptocurrency market by raising $250 million for a dedicated digital asset fund. According to Bloomberg , SC Ventures – the group’s venture capital arm – is preparing to launch the fund in 2026 with a focus on investing in digital asset companies in the financial services sector, while also seeking backing from Middle Eastern investors.
The move reflects a clear strategic shift by Standard Chartered from a cautious stance to an active embrace of blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. The bank has been steadily establishing itself as a key infrastructure player in the crypto-asset ecosystem, with a series of key partnerships and services recently launched.
In October 2024, Standard Chartered was selected by leading crypto exchange OKX to provide custody solutions, marking a significant step in expanding its crypto asset services to institutional clients. The bank is also actively providing crypto custody services to clients in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the fastest growing crypto asset markets in the region.
The global wave of crypto asset institutionalization
The launch of the Standard Chartered fund comes as the traditional finance industry is witnessing an unprecedented level of crypto-asset adoption. The breakthrough began with the launch of Bitcoin spot ETFs in the US, opening the door for billions of dollars of institutional Capital to enter the market. This was followed by the launch of Ethereum ETFs, which sparked a wave of spot ETF filings for other altcoins.
This trend is also fueled by the emergence of companies like Strategy – the “big guy” of Bitcoin accumulation, along with Metaplanet and many other crypto asset treasury (DAT) companies competing to hoard crypto assets to increase the value of their shares. In addition, a more favorable policy environment in the US also sends an optimistic signal to crypto asset companies that struggled under former SEC Chairman Gary Gensler.
Standard Chartered has also become a key partner in Hong Kong’s stablecoin plan, partnering with leading Web3 businesses such as Animoca Brands. These moves show that the bank is not only interested in participating in the crypto-asset market but also playing a Vai in shaping the future of digital finance, especially in Asia-Pacific markets where Standard Chartered has traditional strengths.
