Standard Chartered, through SC Ventures, is preparing a new investment vehicle of 250 million dollars dedicated to digital assets, with the support of capital from the Middle East.
The announcement, confirmed by Bloomberg, was made public during Money20/20 Riyadh and marks a significant step in the application of regulated finance to tokenization.
According to the briefings gathered during Money20/20 Riyadh, where the event recorded over 1,000 investors and more than 450 speakers, MENA participants expressed concrete interest in vehicles that combine governance and compliance.
Industry analysts also note an increase in demand from banks and family offices for regulated custody solutions and RWA infrastructures.
In brief: the key points
- $250 million fund focused on digital assets and tokenization, with a launch planned for 2026.
- Involvement of MENA capital to support compliant infrastructure and products.
- Pipeline that includes tokenization, regulated financial services, and market infrastructure.
- In parallel, proposal of a $100 million fund for fintech initiatives in Africa.
What the new 250 million vehicle entails
SC Ventures, the venture and innovation platform of Standard Chartered active since 2018, aims to raise 250 million dollars for a fund dedicated to the growth of the digital asset ecosystem.
The launch is scheduled for 2026 and will see the participation of institutional investors from the Middle East, as highlighted by Bloomberg. In this context, the goal is to finance initiatives with high scalability and solid governance, integrating liquidity, distribution, and rigorous compliance.
Where the Capital Will Go: Tokenization, Infrastructure, Regulated Services
- Tokenization of financial instruments: debt, funds, real world assets (RWA) and solutions for primary and secondary markets.
- Infrastructure: development of platforms for issuance, settlement, and custody with integrated KYC/AML controls.
- Regulated services: products for institutional investors, with reporting and risk management in compliance with regulations.
The group’s strategy and the regulatory framework
SC Ventures will be able to rely on Standard Chartered’s global network and a series of initiatives already operational or in development. In fact, these projects form a starting point for broader market solutions. Among these:
- Institutional offering on Bitcoin and Ethereum through authorized entities of the group in the United Kingdom.
- Libeara, the tokenization platform for digital issuances.
- Collaborations with exchanges, such as OKX, for institutional collateral solutions.
- Projects on HKD stablecoin, developed in partnership with Animoca Brands and HKT under the regulatory framework of the HKMA.
On the regulatory front, the group has strengthened its presence both in Europe and the Middle East. After starting operations in Saudi Arabia in January 2025, Standard Chartered obtained in Luxembourg – within the context of the MiCA regulation – a license for the custody of digital assets.
In parallel, in the United Arab Emirates, custody services have been initiated following a license issued by the DFSA in Dubai. These developments pave the way for institutional products with high standards of security and transparency.
Africa as the second pillar: proposal for a 100 million fund
In parallel with the vehicle on digital assets, SC Ventures is evaluating a $100 million fund aimed at scale-ups and fintech infrastructure in African markets.
It should be noted that the investment scope will include solutions for cross-border payments, digital identity, and rails for local tokenization, in line with the global expansion in the crypto and payments sector.
Why it is relevant for fintech and the crypto market
The arrival of a corporate fund of such size could help reduce the costs associated with the adoption of tokenized infrastructures for banks, managers, and startups.
The synergy between capital and regulatory know-how can activate a network effect in custody, distribution, and compliance. However, regulatory fragmentation – with MiCA in the EU, DFSA in Dubai, and various local frameworks – remains a challenge and could require complex technical and legal integrations for those aiming to combine compliance and scalability.
Essential Data and Indicators
- $250 million: size of the digital asset fund, with a launch planned for 2026.
- $100 million: proposed fund dedicated to fintech in Africa.
- 2018: year of founding of SC Ventures.
- January 2025: operational launch in Saudi Arabia; in 2025, custody license obtained in Luxembourg under the MiCA regulation.
Capital MENA: signals from the region
The involvement of investors from the Middle East highlights the growing interest in regulated digital infrastructures.
The MENA region is rapidly consolidating hubs for tokenized assets, custody, and institutional markets, supported by favorable policies and both public and private investments. In this scenario, the convergence between traditional finance and on-chain technologies appears as a dominant theme in upcoming investment cycles, as highlighted during Money20/20 Riyadh.
Essential Timeline and Upcoming Steps
- 2018: founding of SC Ventures.
- Beginning of 2025: obtained the license in Luxembourg for custody services under MiCA and operational launch in Saudi Arabia.
- 2026: launch of the digital asset fund and development of a domestic fund in Saudi Arabia.
Quick FAQ
Who will benefit from the new fund?
Startups, scale-ups, and institutional initiatives active in tokenization, infrastructure, and regulated financial services, with particular focus on high-impact and scalable projects.