Standard Chartered adds digital asset custody in Singapore as it absorbs Zodia
In brief
- Standard Chartered added digital asset custody services in Singapore, according to Crypto Briefing.
- Standard Chartered is folding Zodia Custody's regulated business into its own platform.
- The Zodia acquisition, announced in May 2026, was contingent on required approvals.
- Standard Chartered cites USD2.2 trillion in total assets under custody.
What the custody product offers
The bank's custody product keeps client assets segregated and offers statutory protections that mirror those available for traditional assets, Crypto Briefing reported. Put simply, crypto and traditional holdings sit under one regulated framework.
Standard Chartered points to USD2.2 trillion in total assets under custody and more than 160 years of institutional experience to back the offering (both figures come from the bank, as cited by Crypto Briefing).
Where Zodia fits
Zodia Custody isn't new to the city. It began operating in Singapore in September 2023 and has been described as a pioneer in bank-backed digital asset custody in the region. Zodia was supported by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's venture arm.
In May 2026, the bank announced it would acquire Zodia's regulated custody business, subject to required approvals. Under the plan, Zodia's operations would be merged into Standard Chartered's Financing and Securities Services division.
Crypto Briefing's report doesn't say whether those approvals have been granted.
The bank has been building payment links alongside custody, too. In October 2026, it partnered with Anchorage Digital Singapore, adding institutional USD accounts and SWIFT transfer capabilities for digital assets. According to Crypto Briefing, that arrangement builds on functionality that already exists in the US, and Singapore is now getting its own version.
The regulatory backdrop
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) oversees custodians, and its requirements cover licensing, asset segregation, risk management and cybersecurity. Licensed custodians must also comply with obligations under the Payment Services Act and the Securities and Futures Act.
That's the rulebook in Singapore. The bank has said it plans to offer the services from other financial hubs, including the UAE, Luxembourg and Hong Kong, but the report doesn't make clear whether that rollout has happened yet.
Frequently asked questions
What is Zodia Custody and how is it connected to Standard Chartered?
Zodia Custody is a digital asset custodian that was supported by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's venture arm. It began operating in Singapore in September 2023. In May 2026, Standard Chartered announced it would acquire Zodia's regulated custody business, subject to required approvals, and merge it into the bank's Financing and Securities Services division.
What rules apply to digital asset custodians in Singapore?
The Monetary Authority of Singapore oversees custodians, and its requirements cover licensing, asset segregation, risk management and cybersecurity. Licensed custodians must also comply with obligations under the Payment Services Act and the Securities and Futures Act.
