OKX launches a joint framework with Standard Chartered and BlackRock
28 April 2026 UAE
Image: Art_spiral/stock.adobe.com
OKX, a global fintech company and crypto trading platform, has launched a joint framework with BlackRock and Standard Chartered to integrate BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenised short-term Treasury fund into collateral workflows.
The framework enables OKX clients to hold collateral in regulated, off-exchange custody while trading on the same integrated venue.
The firm says that this marks the first time a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB) has acted as custodian in such an arrangement.
Through this joint framework OKX VIP and institutional clients can post BUIDL as collateral held off-exchange in regulated custody at Standard Chartered, while trading on OKX Middle East, eliminating the need to move assets between venues.
In addition, BUIDL can be deposited and traded on exchange, and used as yield-bearing collateral for margin trading.
Samara Cohen, global head of Market Development at BlackRock, says: “BUIDL was designed to bring the benefits of tokenisation to short-term treasury exposure, allowing qualified investors to earn US dollar yields on blockchain rails.
“The framework with OKX and Standard Chartered allows qualified investors to unlock new opportunities in how they deploy collateral.”
Haider Rafique, global managing partner at OKX, adds: “This collaboration highlights the potential of tokenising real-world assets at scale. By enabling institutions to deploy BUIDL as onchain collateral on OKX’s global platform, we improve capital efficiency while demonstrating how traditional financial instruments can operate seamlessly in digital markets. Tokenisation is about making existing markets faster, more transparent, and more accessible.”
Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of Financing and Securities Services at Standard Chartered, comments: “Our role as custodian in this initiative reflects our commitment to delivering trusted and innovative solutions for clients as the financial ecosystem evolves.
“By providing secure custody of BUIDL for this collateral use case, we are helping to ensure clients can access digital asset opportunities with the high standards of protection and compliance.
“This framework demonstrates how traditional financial institutions and digital market infrastructure can work together to bring tokenised assets safely and efficiently to global investors.”
The framework enables OKX clients to hold collateral in regulated, off-exchange custody while trading on the same integrated venue.
The firm says that this marks the first time a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB) has acted as custodian in such an arrangement.
Through this joint framework OKX VIP and institutional clients can post BUIDL as collateral held off-exchange in regulated custody at Standard Chartered, while trading on OKX Middle East, eliminating the need to move assets between venues.
In addition, BUIDL can be deposited and traded on exchange, and used as yield-bearing collateral for margin trading.
Samara Cohen, global head of Market Development at BlackRock, says: “BUIDL was designed to bring the benefits of tokenisation to short-term treasury exposure, allowing qualified investors to earn US dollar yields on blockchain rails.
“The framework with OKX and Standard Chartered allows qualified investors to unlock new opportunities in how they deploy collateral.”
Haider Rafique, global managing partner at OKX, adds: “This collaboration highlights the potential of tokenising real-world assets at scale. By enabling institutions to deploy BUIDL as onchain collateral on OKX’s global platform, we improve capital efficiency while demonstrating how traditional financial instruments can operate seamlessly in digital markets. Tokenisation is about making existing markets faster, more transparent, and more accessible.”
Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of Financing and Securities Services at Standard Chartered, comments: “Our role as custodian in this initiative reflects our commitment to delivering trusted and innovative solutions for clients as the financial ecosystem evolves.
“By providing secure custody of BUIDL for this collateral use case, we are helping to ensure clients can access digital asset opportunities with the high standards of protection and compliance.
“This framework demonstrates how traditional financial institutions and digital market infrastructure can work together to bring tokenised assets safely and efficiently to global investors.”
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