Standard Chartered Launches $250 Million Crypto Fund with Middle Eastern Backing

Standard Chartered's venture arm, SC Ventures, is spearheading a $250 million fund dedicated to cryptocurrency investments in financial services, slated for launch in 2026. Middle Eastern investors are pivotal to the initiative, reflecting the region's growing influence in crypto regulation and adoption. The UAE and Saudi Arabia have emerged as key hubs, with Dubai's VIRTUAL Assets Regulatory Authority and fintech sandboxes driving institutional interest.

Gautam Jain of SC Ventures revealed parallel plans for a $100 million Africa-focused fund and a potential venture debt vehicle during the Money 20/20 Saudi Arabia summit. The MOVE aligns with broader banking sector trends—JPMorgan and other majors are increasingly allocating capital to digital assets, signaling a structural shift in traditional finance's approach to blockchain innovation.