Standard Chartered Expands Crypto, RWA Custody to Singapore
Standard Chartered will expand its digital asset custody to Singapore, adding selected cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets for institutions and accredited corporate investors. The service, announced Thursday, sits within the bank’s financing and securities-services unit and remains subject to applicable regulatory requirements, extending a business already active in the UAE, Luxembourg and Hong Kong.
Standard Chartered PLC will expand its digital asset custody to Singapore, adding support for selected cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets for institutional and accredited corporate clients. The bank said Thursday the service will operate within its financing and securities-services business and remains subject to applicable regulatory requirements, rather than being offered as a retail product.
The move extends a digital asset franchise that already spans financial hubs including the United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg and Hong Kong. Management emphasized the importance of secure, regulated custody as foundational market infrastructure for clients seeking exposure to tokenized assets alongside traditional securities services.
What is Standard Chartered launching in Singapore?
The bank plans a custody service in Singapore for selected cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets, delivered through its financing and securities-services platform. The offering is designed for professional users, aligning digital asset safekeeping with traditional custody workflows, controls and oversight rather than a standalone retail crypto app.
By integrating digital asset custody within its existing securities-services stack, the bank aims to meet institutional standards on asset segregation, reconciliation and operational resilience. The scope explicitly includes stablecoins and tokenized assets, reflecting growing client demand to hold on-chain instruments alongside traditional portfolios within a single, regulated custody framework.
Jurisdiction
Status
Singapore
Planned custody launch (subject to regulatory requirements)
United Arab Emirates
Active digital asset business
Luxembourg
Active digital asset business
Hong Kong
Active digital asset business
Who will be eligible, and how will the service be structured?
Eligibility will be limited to institutional clients and accredited investor corporate clients, not retail. The service will sit within the bank’s financing and securities-services business, leveraging established custody controls and compliance processes rather than operating as a separate consumer-facing crypto platform.
This positioning places digital assets under the same governance model used for traditional securities services, addressing institutional requirements for risk management, auditability and regulatory alignment. It also enables cross-asset operational workflows, allowing professional investors to consolidate safekeeping and reporting for tokens and conventional assets with a single provider.
What comes next for the rollout?
Next steps hinge on applicable regulatory requirements in Singapore. Once conditions are met, the bank intends to open the service to eligible institutions and accredited corporates, broadening client access to custody of cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and tokenized real-world assets within a regulated banking environment.
As the framework finalizes, clients can prepare onboarding by assessing internal policies for on-chain assets, defining asset support needs and aligning operational processes with institutional-grade custody standards offered within the bank’s securities-services infrastructure.
Secure, regulated safekeeping remains central to institutional adoption. With the planned Singapore expansion, the bank is positioning to capture growing demand for custody of tokenized instruments across leading financial hubs.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency markets are highly volatile and carry significant risk. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
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