Standard Chartered is expanding its digital asset services by launching institutional crypto custody in Singapore. The bank aims to provide secure, regulated storage for selected cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and tokenized real-world assets to meet growing demand from corporate clients.
This move follows the bank's existing custody operations in the United Arab Emirates, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong. Patrick Lee, CEO for Singapore and ASEAN & South Asia, emphasized that the infrastructure is designed to support the safekeeping and servicing of tokenized assets at an institutional scale.
The bank has been actively integrating digital assets into its operations since 2025. This includes the establishment of a bitcoin trading desk in London, the launch of the Libeara blockchain unit for asset tokenization, and the introduction of bitcoin trading services for institutional clients in the UAE last month.
Standard Chartered joins a growing list of global financial institutions entering the digital asset space. Other major players, such as BNY Mellon and Deutsche Bank, have also implemented or announced plans for institutional custody services to support bitcoin, ether, and stablecoins.
