Standard Chartered to acquire Zodia Custody
18 May 2026 UK
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Standard Chartered has announced that its non-binding offer to acquire Zodia Custody has been accepted by the company’s shareholders and noteholders.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Under the proposed acquisition, Zodia Custody’s regulated custody activities will be integrated into Standard Chartered’s existing digital asset custody business within its Financing and Securities Services division.
The bank said the move is intended to consolidate its digital asset custody operations, unlock revenue and cost synergies, and broaden its offering to digital asset custody clients globally.
As part of the transaction, Zodia Custody will separate its institutional digital asset infrastructure platform business into a newly established independent entity, Zodia Solutions, under SC Ventures.
According to the companies, Zodia Solutions will continue to provide bank-grade digital asset infrastructure services to financial institutions, including Standard Chartered, supporting firms launching and scaling digital asset services.
The platform will also be backed by a number of bank investors, including existing investors in Zodia Custody.
Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of Financing and Securities Services at Standard Chartered, says: “This acquisition will accelerate the growth of Standard Chartered’s global digital assets custody portfolio and support the growth of our Financing and Securities Services business.
“It also reflects the group’s continued focus on building an end-to-end Digital Assets offering and it further strengthens our position as the trusted bridge between TradFi and DeFi.”
Julian Sawyer, CEO of Zodia Custody, adds: “Digital asset custody is increasingly being delivered within banking environments. At the same time, financial institutions are increasingly seeking specialist infrastructure partners to support the launch and scale of digital asset services.
“We have seen strong and accelerating demand for our Solutions platform, as institutions look for trusted, bank-grade infrastructure that enables them to design, deliver, and grow digital asset capabilities at scale.”
Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures, comments: “This is a strong example of how SC Ventures translates emerging technologies and market opportunities into commercially relevant capabilities for the bank.
“It reinforces the value of the SC Ventures’ model in enabling the bank to participate in emerging ecosystems through scalable ventures and strategic partnerships.”
The companies said there is no expected disruption for existing Zodia Custody clients following the transaction.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Under the proposed acquisition, Zodia Custody’s regulated custody activities will be integrated into Standard Chartered’s existing digital asset custody business within its Financing and Securities Services division.
The bank said the move is intended to consolidate its digital asset custody operations, unlock revenue and cost synergies, and broaden its offering to digital asset custody clients globally.
As part of the transaction, Zodia Custody will separate its institutional digital asset infrastructure platform business into a newly established independent entity, Zodia Solutions, under SC Ventures.
According to the companies, Zodia Solutions will continue to provide bank-grade digital asset infrastructure services to financial institutions, including Standard Chartered, supporting firms launching and scaling digital asset services.
The platform will also be backed by a number of bank investors, including existing investors in Zodia Custody.
Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of Financing and Securities Services at Standard Chartered, says: “This acquisition will accelerate the growth of Standard Chartered’s global digital assets custody portfolio and support the growth of our Financing and Securities Services business.
“It also reflects the group’s continued focus on building an end-to-end Digital Assets offering and it further strengthens our position as the trusted bridge between TradFi and DeFi.”
Julian Sawyer, CEO of Zodia Custody, adds: “Digital asset custody is increasingly being delivered within banking environments. At the same time, financial institutions are increasingly seeking specialist infrastructure partners to support the launch and scale of digital asset services.
“We have seen strong and accelerating demand for our Solutions platform, as institutions look for trusted, bank-grade infrastructure that enables them to design, deliver, and grow digital asset capabilities at scale.”
Alex Manson, CEO of SC Ventures, comments: “This is a strong example of how SC Ventures translates emerging technologies and market opportunities into commercially relevant capabilities for the bank.
“It reinforces the value of the SC Ventures’ model in enabling the bank to participate in emerging ecosystems through scalable ventures and strategic partnerships.”
The companies said there is no expected disruption for existing Zodia Custody clients following the transaction.
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