Bank Giant Dives into Crypto Prime Brokerage – Shocking Move!

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So here’s the deal: Standard Chartered is eyeing a crypto prime brokerage under SC Ventures. It’s like they bumped into crypto at a business lunch and said, “Eh, why not?”

Standard Chartered is weighing a crypto prime brokerage initiative as institutional crypto demand keeps growing. They want to keep innovating and still stay plugged into regulated markets. And yes, it feels like a vote of confidence from lenders worldwide toward digital assets, as if the bankers just discovered a new coffee blend that tastes like opportunity. 😂

Standard Chartered Explores Crypto Prime Brokerage Under SC Ventures

According to Bloomberg, the proposed crypto prime brokerage would run inside SC Ventures. So yes, the structure might help with regulatory and capital requirements. Fabulous news for the spreadsheet-driven world, right?

Standard Chartered plans to set up a prime brokerage for crypto trading, as global banks step up efforts to compete in digital assets

– Bloomberg (@business)

Meanwhile, the London-based bank hasn’t nailed down the scope of services or timing for the launch. In other words, they’re planning in a windowless conference room with no clocks-classic big-bank mystique. Public confirmation? Not exactly. It’s internal plotting, possibly sticky notes, and a lot of “we’ll see.” 🙄

SC Ventures is Standard Chartered’s innovation and venture capital arm. So, naturally, it likes piloting new financial technologies. Housing the brokerage there would also reduce direct balance sheet exposure, which is the kind of math that sounds smart in a hoodie. 🤓

Related Reading: Crypto News: Standard Chartered and Ant Launch Real-Time Tokenized Deposits in Hong Kong | Live Bitcoin News

Basel III rules are pretty stringent about crypto holdings. So, operating through SC Ventures might offer a little more operational flexibility. Analysts say this structure could become more popular among global banks, which is a fancy way of saying “they’re listening to the risk folks who wear suits.” 🤷‍♂️

Standard Chartered has already built a notable digital asset footprint. In the past, it supported Zodia Custody, aimed at institutional crypto storage needs, and Zodia Markets, which served as an institutional trading platform. It’s not nothing; it’s just enough to remind you that they’ve got a plan and a few friends in the crypto neighborhood. 🏬

In July 2025, the bank reached a milestone: it became the first globally systemically important bank with spot trading of crypto, targeting institutional clients on regulated execution venues. Bold move, or bold face? Either way, people are watching. 👀

Meanwhile, a spokesman for SC Ventures declined to comment publicly, so the official confirmation is still pending. It’s the bank equivalent of “I can neither confirm nor deny… and also I won’t say anything nice.” Classic. Still, past statements emphasize continued development of digital assets. 😶

In December, SC Ventures announced Project37C in a LinkedIn post, describing a digital asset joint venture with custody, tokenization, and access to market services. Very slick jargon, but essentially: we’re pairing assets with services and hoping the math works out. 🔗

Institutional Demand Drives Strategic Crypto Expansion

A crypto prime brokerage bundles execution, custody, financing, and settlement services, which helps hedge funds, asset managers, and trading firms move big players with fewer headaches. It’s like giving them a deluxe no-hassle express lane to the crypto freeway. 🛣️

Previously, Standard Chartered considered similar services with Coinbase. In December 2025, the two announced an extended institutional collaboration focusing on trading and custody capabilities. Yes, the banking world loves a cross-pollination of crypto and custody like it loves a good offsite meeting: long, expensive, and somehow productive. 🧭

The bank also teamed up with FalconX to offer banking services. The collaboration supported liquidity in crypto markets and institutional access, highlighting a strategy built on partnerships rather than lone-wolf bravado. It’s the kind of teamwork that makes you nod and mutter, “Okay, fine.” 🤝

The lender also ran a collateral mirroring program with OKX, operating in the UAE and Europe. The aim is to improve institutional risk management via shared collateral frameworks. It’s like borrowing sugar from a neighbor, but for risk management-still, it works. 🧊

Looking at the bigger picture, Standard Chartered’s moves fit the industry trend: traditional finance leaning into digital assets, not with a roar but with a careful, taped-meeting kind of confidence. It’s a client-driven evolution, with a lot of coffee involved. ☕

In the end, a potential prime brokerage underscores strategic continuity. The bank is slowly expanding its digital asset services and positioning itself for blockchain adoption at an institutional level. Do I smell momentum or just excellent quarterly projections? Either way, it’s something. 😅

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2026-01-12 19:32