Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures to Launch $250M Digital Assets Fund

Standard Chartered’s venture arm, SC Ventures, is preparing a $250 million fund dedicated to digital asset investments, with a planned launch in 2026. Middle Eastern investors are expected to back the fund, reflecting growing institutional interest in blockchain infrastructure.

The fund will target global opportunities in financial services, with a focus on regulated digital asset plays such as tokenization and blockchain technology. SC Ventures, launched in 2018 as the innovation arm of Standard Chartered, is also considering additional funds, including a $100 million Africa-focused vehicle and a venture debt fund.

Gautam Jain, an operating member of SC Ventures, revealed the plans, underscoring the bank’s strategic push into custody, trading, and tokenization services. The MOVE signals deepening institutional confidence in the digital asset ecosystem.