Standard Chartered is expanding its digital asset custody strategy in Asia, announcing plans to offer custody services for selected cryptoassets, stablecoins and tokenised real-world assets to institutional and accredited investor corporate clients in Singapore.
The proposed service, which is subject to applicable regulatory requirements, reflects growing demand for secure, regulated and bank-grade digital asset infrastructure among institutional investors and corporate clients.
The move extends Standard Chartered’s digital asset custody capabilities across key international financial centres, building on its existing presence in the UAE, Luxembourg and Hong Kong. Singapore’s position as a leading financial and innovation hub makes it a strategic market for the bank’s continued expansion.
The planned offering will complement Standard Chartered’s existing Financing & Securities Services capabilities, connecting traditional asset servicing with tokenisation and digital asset custody. The integrated approach is designed to support clients across the asset lifecycle, from safeguarding traditional assets to tokenising and securing digital assets within an institutional-grade framework.
Patrick Lee, CEO of Singapore and CEO of ASEAN & South Asia at Standard Chartered, said the initiative marked a significant milestone in the bank’s plans to bring its digital asset custody capabilities to Singapore.
He highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure in supporting the secure movement, safekeeping and servicing of tokenised assets at institutional scale, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to a secure and well-regulated digital asset ecosystem.
Ole Matthiessen, Global Head of Transaction Services & Digital Assets at Standard Chartered, added that secure, regulated custody was fundamental to the development of the digital asset ecosystem. He said the bank would continue investing in its digital asset capabilities across key financial centres as client demand grows.
