Summary
- Standard Chartered has agreed to acquire Zodia Custody’s parent company, expanding regulated digital asset custody operations across five markets.
- Zodia Solutions will operate independently under SC Ventures, providing institutional clients with technology infrastructure for managing digital asset services globally.
- Standard Chartered’s Luxembourg MiCA authorization and planned Singapore custody launch support its broader expansion into regulated institutional digital assets.
Standard Chartered has agreed to acquire full ownership of Zodia Custody’s parent company, expanding its regulated digital asset custody business internationally. According to the agreement, the bank will acquire Zodia Custody UK Limited, which oversees regulated custody operations across five markets.
These businesses operate in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Luxembourg, serving institutional digital asset clients. The agreement follows acceptance of Standard Chartered’s earlier nonbinding offer, although regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions remain outstanding.
Upon completion, the bank will integrate Zodia Custody’s regulated operations into its Securities Services division and existing custody platform. Standard Chartered expects the combination to consolidate operations, generate revenue synergies, and broaden services for institutional investors.
Its strategy includes offering traditional securities and digital asset custody through a unified platform serving clients across multiple jurisdictions. Ying Ying Tan, the bank’s Global Head of Securities Services and Digital Assets, linked the purchase to client demand.
“The acquisition of Zodia Custody further deepens our digital asset custody portfolio,” Tan stated.
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Zodia Solutions to Operate Separately Under SC Ventures
The acquisition excludes Zodia Custody’s software and professional services business, which will transfer to a newly established independent entity. Named Zodia Solutions, that business will operate under SC Ventures and receive the related technology assets and service operations.
It will supply infrastructure to financial institutions seeking to launch, manage, or expand their own digital asset services. Craig Perrin, Zodia Solutions’ chief executive, described increasing demand for technology supporting operational services rather than limited pilot projects.
“Financial institutions are moving beyond digital asset pilots towards operating services at scale,” Perrin stated.
Meanwhile, Zodia Custody chief executive Richard Clark highlighted the growing importance of regulated custody within institutional banking services. Clark identified the combination of Zodia’s specialist expertise and Standard Chartered’s global banking platform as central to the transaction.
Standard Chartered Builds on Luxembourg Authorization and Singapore Plans
The proposed purchase complements Standard Chartered’s existing expansion of regulated digital asset services in Europe and Asia. In June 2026, the bank received authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework, commonly known as MiCA.
That development followed its establishment of a Luxembourg entity in 2025 to support regulated digital asset activities. Any expansion into additional European markets remains subject to applicable cross-border rules and regulatory requirements.
Standard Chartered also plans to launch institutional cryptocurrency custody services in Singapore before the end of 2026. The acquisition has not closed, and Zodia Custody’s regulated businesses will join the bank only when outstanding conditions are satisfied.
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