Standard Chartered (SC) eyes a $250 million digital asset investment fund planned for 2026. The fund will focus on blockchain, tokenization, and regulated digital asset projects, with backing from Middle Eastern investors. Alongside this, SC Ventures is also eyeing a $100 million Africa fund and planning to explore venture debt funds to diversify its fintech push.

SC Fully Embracing Crypto and its Global Positioning

According to Bloomberg, SC Ventures plans to invest the $250 million fund in companies working on digital assets within the financial services sector. The move comes at a time when institutional adoption is at an all-time high.

Over the past two years, SC has already taken big steps. In October 2024, the bank partnered with crypto exchange OKX to provide custody services and later expanded crypto custody offerings to clients in the UAE. Furthermore, in early 2025, it secured a Luxembourg license under Europe’s new MiCA framework, allowing it to safely store crypto assets for clients across the EU. Moreover, in Hong Kong, SC partnered with Animoca Brands, a blockchain gaming firm, and Hong Kong Telecom to issue a new stablecoin backed by the Hong Kong dollar. These moves position SC as a serious player in the ever-expanding world of tokenized finance.

Middle East and Africa Expansion

SC is continuously finding ways to expand its digital asset journey. Alongside the $250 million initiative, it also plans to launch a $100 million fund for Africa. The bank says this fund could back startups and fintech firms across the continent, though it has not confirmed if it will specifically focus on crypto.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is also seeing strong fintech growth. Saudi Arabia alone wants to host 500 fintech companies by 2030. Events like the Money 20/20 conference in Riyadh show the region’s ambitions and attract hundreds of startups and investors. Saudi Arabia and the wider region are also becoming more open to crypto. For example, the Saudi Central Bank gained Bitcoin exposure by buying shares in a company that heavily invests in the asset. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s MGX fund invested $2 billion in Binance stablecoins, showing just how serious the Middle East is about digital assets.

Standard Chartered’s Contribution in Institutional Adoption

Crypto is no longer just for retail traders where institutions are also going all-in, especially after the launch of spot Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs in the United States. These products opened the door for billions in institutional money to flow into crypto. Traditional firms like Standard Chartered are now competing with crypto-native treasury firms like Strategy and Metaplanet, which have been aggressively using Bitcoin to increase their company value.

Another factor driving traditional firms to invest in crypto is the easing of regulatory pressure since the departure of SEC chair Gary Gensler, who was seen as tough on the industry.

Also read: Institutional Capital Shift to Ethereum Marks a Turning Point

Standard Chartered’s Future on Embracing Crypto Technology

Although it seems promising for SC, which has major plans to shift its traditional financing business toward digital treasury services, it also shows a clear sign that crypto is becoming mainstream. With billions already flowing into Bitcoin and Ethereum ETFs, and growing demand for custody, stablecoins, and tokenization, the bank is positioning itself as one of the leading bridges between traditional finance and the new digital economy.

If Standard Chartered is successful, its $250 million fund could make the firm one of the most influential banks in shaping the future of global finance.