Standard Chartered's venture capital division, SC Ventures, is preparing to launch a $250 million fund dedicated to digital asset investments, with a planned debut in 2026. The fund will focus on financial services sector opportunities, including blockchain technology, tokenization, and regulated digital asset plays, according to operating partner Gautam Jain.
Backing for the fund is expected to come primarily from Middle Eastern investors, reflecting growing institutional appetite in the region. The capital will be deployed globally, targeting emerging opportunities beyond Bitcoin, such as real-world asset tokenization and decentralized finance integration.
Separately, SC Ventures also plans a $100 million Africa-focused fund and is considering its first venture debt fund, though these are not primarily aimed at digital assets. This move builds on Standard Chartered's broader digital asset initiatives, including becoming the first global systemically important bank to launch deliverable spot Bitcoin and Ethereum trading from its U.K. branch earlier this year.
The announcement comes amid Standard Chartered's recent warnings about declining market net asset values (mNAV) of digital asset treasury firms, suggesting potential market consolidation that could benefit larger, well-capitalized players.