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Standard Chartered is doubling down on blockchain with the launch of the SC Ventures digital assets fund, a $250 million vehicle aimed at accelerating adoption of tokenization, crypto infrastructure, and regulated digital asset opportunities.
The move was first reported on Bloomberg on Sept. 15, citing Gautam Jain, an operating member at SC Ventures, the bank’s innovation and venture investment arm. The fund is expected to debut in 2026 with backing from Middle Eastern investors, reflecting the region’s rising appetite for blockchain-driven financial products.
“This is about building the next layer of global financial infrastructure,” said Jain. “The SC Ventures digital assets fund will help scale blockchain solutions that go beyond speculation and directly improve market efficiency.”
The SC Ventures digital assets fund will deploy capital globally, with a particular focus on financial services. Target sectors include tokenization of real-world assets, regulated blockchain platforms, and fintech firms building institutional-grade digital asset solutions.
Beyond the $250 million fund, SC Ventures is also preparing a $100 million Africa-focused fund and weighing its first venture debt vehicle, although those will not be primarily dedicated to crypto.
SC Ventures, launched in 2018, has played a pivotal role in Standard Chartered’s digital innovation push. Its portfolio spans fintech startups, blockchain initiatives, and new business ventures designed to diversify the bank’s revenue streams.
In 2025, the unit expanded aggressively into the Middle East, opening operations in Saudi Arabia and laying the groundwork for a domestic investment fund by 2026. That regional focus aligns with rising demand from Gulf investors for exposure to tokenized assets and blockchain-powered financial services.
The new SC Ventures digital assets fund builds on a series of bold moves by Standard Chartered in 2025. Earlier this year, the bank became the first global systemically important bank to launch deliverable spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading from its U.K. branch.
It also advanced tokenization efforts through Libeara, its proprietary blockchain platform, and partnered with major exchanges such as OKX to expand collateral management solutions. These include tokenized money market funds and new crypto lending structures aimed at institutional clients.
“The SC Ventures digital assets fund represents a natural evolution of our work with Libeara and OKX,” said Alex Manson, head of SC Ventures. “By committing significant capital, we’re signaling our long-term confidence in blockchain’s role in transforming global finance.”
Industry analysts view Standard Chartered’s strategy as a pragmatic bet on areas where blockchain has immediate use cases, such as cross-border settlement, tokenized treasuries, and collateral efficiency.
For crypto investors, the launch of the SC Ventures digital assets fund signals a growing wave of institutional capital entering blockchain markets. Unlike retail-driven speculation, this wave emphasizes infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and real-world use cases.
Given forecasts that global fintech revenues could hit $1.5 trillion by 2030, Standard Chartered’s $250 million commitment may help bridge the gap between experimental DeFi products and large-scale institutional adoption.
“The fund is not just about chasing returns; it’s about catalyzing the ecosystem,” said Jain. “We see tokenization and blockchain as the next frontier for capital markets.”
Still, risks remain. Regulatory frameworks for tokenized assets are fragmented, and adoption depends heavily on whether global regulators move toward harmonized standards. Moreover, competition among global banks is heating up, with players like HSBC and JPMorgan also pushing tokenization initiatives.
The launch of the SC Ventures digital assets fund illustrates how quickly institutional attitudes toward crypto are evolving. Five years ago, most global banks were hesitant to associate with blockchain beyond pilot projects. Today, Standard Chartered is positioning itself as a leader in the regulated digital assets arena.
If successful, the fund could accelerate mainstream adoption of tokenized bonds, digital securities, and institutional-grade DeFi solutions, while also setting a precedent for other banks to follow.
For investors, the key takeaway is clear: the digital asset sector is moving past retail-driven hype cycles and entering an era of structured, large-scale capital deployment.
As Jain concluded: “The future of finance will be digital, tokenized, and global. The SC Ventures digital assets fund is our commitment to making that future a reality.”
