Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures Launches $250M Digital Assets Fund - Banking Giant Doubles Down on Crypto

Wall Street meets blockchain—banking heavyweight Standard Chartered just placed a quarter-billion-dollar bet on digital assets.

SC Ventures, the innovation arm of the 160-year-old financial institution, is rolling out a massive $250 million fund dedicated exclusively to cryptocurrency and blockchain investments. This isn't dipping a toe—it's a full-scale plunge into digital markets.

Why banks can't ignore crypto anymore

Traditional finance finally acknowledges what crypto natives knew years ago: digital assets aren't a fringe experiment. They're rewriting global finance. SC Ventures isn't just following trends—it's positioning at the forefront of institutional adoption.

The fund targets everything from blockchain infrastructure to tokenization projects and DeFi protocols. That's right—the same institution that once questioned crypto's legitimacy now seeks to profit from its evolution.

Timing everything—entering as markets mature

Launching now suggests calculated confidence rather than speculative frenzy. Regulatory clarity improved. Institutional custody solutions matured. The infrastructure finally supports serious money.

Still, watching traditional banks embrace crypto feels like watching your grandfather start using TikTok—awkward but inevitable. Because when institutions this size move, they don't just follow markets—they move markets.

Another quarter-billion reasons why crypto isn't going anywhere—except maybe into your portfolio once the suits finally figure it out.

Standard Chartered’s expanding global strategy

With support from Middle Eastern investors, the fund is anticipated to make its debut in 2026, reflecting the growing demand for digital assets in the region. The capital will be used globally, focusing on financial services, and aiming for sectors like tokenization, blockchain technology, and other regulated digital asset plays, according to Jain.

Alongside the $250 million vehicle, SC Ventures also plans a $100 million Africa-focused fund and is considering its first venture debt fund, though those will not be primarily aimed at digital assets.

As the innovation arm of Standard Chartered, SC Ventures was launched in 2018 and has backed fintech startups and new business ventures. Its presence in the Middle East has expanded in 2025, with operations opening in Saudi Arabia earlier this year and plans for a domestic fund in the kingdom by 2026.

Digital asset push accelerates

The move builds on Standard Chartered’s broader digital asset initiatives. This year, the bank became the first global systemically important institution to launch deliverable spot Bitcoin (BTC) and ethereum (ETH) trading from its U.K. branch and rolled out tokenization efforts through Libeara, its blockchain platform. It also partnered with exchanges like OKX to expand collateral solutions using cryptocurrencies and tokenized money market funds.

Standard Chartered is demonstrating its belief in the long-term potential of digital assets by placing SC Ventures at the forefront of these initiatives. Given that fintech revenues are expected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, the new fund may hasten institutional adoption, particularly in areas like real-world asset tokenization and decentralized finance integration.