Standard Chartered Bank plans to launch a cryptocurrency prime brokerage business to expand its digital asset portfolio.

According to a Bloomberg report, Standard Chartered Bank plans to establish a cryptocurrency prime brokerage business through its venture capital arm, SC Ventures, offering services including custody, financing, and market access. The business is currently in its early planning stages. This move would help it circumvent Basel III's capital requirement of up to 1250% for permissionless crypto assets. Standard Chartered has previously been involved in crypto projects such as Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, and in 2025 became the first global systemically important bank to offer spot crypto trading.