New York, NY – In a significant move set to redefine institutional digital asset services, Standard Chartered has announced its intention to acquire full ownership of Zodia Custody, a digital asset custodian it co-founded. This strategic acquisition, reported to be finalized after regulatory approvals, underscores Standard Chartered's commitment to expanding its regulated digital asset custody business on a global scale. The deal signifies a deepening of the bank's footprint in the burgeoning digital asset market, integrating Zodia Custody's operations across key international hubs.

Strategic Consolidation and Global Reach

The agreement will see Standard Chartered take full control of Zodia Custody UK Limited, which currently operates regulated custody services in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Luxembourg. This consolidation aims to streamline operations within Standard Chartered’s Securities Services division, creating a unified platform for both traditional securities and digital asset custody. Ying Ying Tan, Global Head of Securities Services and Digital Assets at Standard Chartered, highlighted that the acquisition is driven by increasing client demand for comprehensive digital asset solutions.

"The acquisition of Zodia Custody further deepens our digital asset custody portfolio," Tan stated, emphasizing the bank's strategy to offer a seamless experience for institutional investors across multiple jurisdictions.

A New Chapter for Zodia Solutions

Notably, the acquisition excludes Zodia Custody’s software and professional services arm. This segment will be spun off into a new independent entity, Zodia Solutions, which will operate under SC Ventures. Zodia Solutions is poised to offer critical infrastructure to financial institutions looking to establish or scale their own digital asset services. Craig Perrin, CEO of Zodia Solutions, observed a growing trend where institutions are moving beyond pilot projects to implement services at scale.

"Financial institutions are moving beyond digital asset pilots towards operating services at scale," Perrin remarked, indicating a mature market readiness for robust technological support.

Standard Chartered's Expanding Digital Asset Strategy

This acquisition aligns perfectly with Standard Chartered’s ongoing expansion of regulated digital asset services in Europe and Asia. The bank recently secured authorization under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework and established a Luxembourg entity in 2025 to bolster its regulated digital asset activities. Furthermore, plans are underway to launch institutional cryptocurrency custody services in Singapore before the end of 2026. These developments, alongside its participation in institutional crypto trades on platforms like 24X, where it has acted as a liquidity taker with providers such as Wintermute, demonstrate Standard Chartered's proactive engagement in the digital asset ecosystem.

The move by Standard Chartered to fully acquire Zodia Custody not only strengthens its competitive position in the institutional crypto custody sector but also signals a continued institutional commitment to digital asset infrastructure, irrespective of market volatility. It’s a strategic play that looks beyond short-term fluctuations, focusing on long-term growth and regulatory compliance.

Looking Ahead

With this acquisition, Standard Chartered is well-positioned to capture a larger share of the institutional digital asset market. The integration of Zodia Custody’s robust platform and expertise with Standard Chartered’s extensive global banking network is set to unlock new opportunities and enhance services for clients worldwide. It's an exciting time for traditional finance embracing the digital frontier, and Standard Chartered is certainly leading the charge!