Standard Chartered Finalizes Acquisition of Digital Asset Custodian Zodia Custody

Brititsh multinational Standard Chartered has completed its acquisition of digital asset custodian Zodia Custody, following months of negotiations and shareholder approval.

London-based Zodia Custody confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the transaction will integrate its services into Standard Chartered’s existing digital asset custody operations.

The move represents a significant expansion of Standard Chartered’s cryptocurrency offerings globally. Earlier this month, the bank announced plans to launch crypto custody services for institutional clients in Singapore, adding to its existing presence in the UAE, Luxembourg, and Hong Kong.

“As institutional adoption of digital assets accelerates, custody is increasingly becoming part of the global banking landscape,” said Zodia Custody CEO Richard Clark.

Clark continued: “Zodia Custody has built a strong business with the specialist expertise and capabilities to meet the needs of institutional clients. By combining that expertise with Standard Chartered’s global reach and established banking platform, we will strengthen our digital asset custody offering and provide institutions with greater access to trusted, regulated custody services worldwide.”

Ying Ying Tan, global head of securities services and digital assets at Standard Chartered, noted that the acquisition “further deepens our digital asset custody portfolio and reinforces our position as a leading provider of digital asset services globally.”

Shareholders of Zodia Custody approved Standard Chartered’s acquisition offer in May. The company specializes in providing custody services for bitcoin and other digital assets to institutional investors and asset managers.

Standard Chartered has been steadily expanding its presence in the cryptocurrency sector in recent years. In 2025, the bank established a dedicated trading desk for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in London, positioning itself among the first global banks to enter spot cryptocurrency trading.

Since then, the bank has launched custody and trading services across multiple international markets.

Major banks worldwide are either launching or planning to introduce crypto custody services, with institutions such as State Street, U.S. Bank, and Citigroup having committed to direct crypto custody offerings over the past 18 months.

Crypto custody often serves as an initial step for banks entering the digital asset space. BNY Mellon became the first major U.S. bank to offer digital asset custody services in 2022.

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