Standard Chartered CEO Forecasts Blockchain to Revolutionize Global Finance

Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters has predicted that nearly all global transactions will eventually settle on blockchain networks, signaling a major transformation in the financial world. Speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week, Winters emphasized that this shift will require a "complete rewiring" of the financial system, involving years of collaboration between governments, regulators, and the private sector.

Winters stated, "Our belief, which I think is shared by the leadership of Hong Kong, is that pretty much all transactions will settle on blockchains eventually, and that all money will be digital." He highlighted that digital money and blockchain-based settlements will define the next era of global finance, with tokenization playing a key role in representing assets like bonds, stocks, and commodities on distributed ledgers.

Standard Chartered is actively expanding its blockchain initiatives, including the development of a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin in partnership with Animoca Brands and HKT, aimed at building new digital payment infrastructure for international trade. The bank also operates digital asset custody services, trading platforms, and tokenization pilots, reinforcing its role as one of the most active traditional banks in the blockchain space.

Additionally, Standard Chartered's venture arm, SC Ventures, plans to launch a $250 million digital asset fund in 2026, focusing on blockchain, tokenization, and regulated digital asset opportunities, with backing from Middle Eastern investors. This follows the bank's recent crypto custody licenses under the EU's MiCA framework in Luxembourg and the DFSA in Dubai, as well as plans for a $100 million Africa fund and a potential venture debt fund.

Winters' remarks align with a growing trend among finance leaders, such as Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who have endorsed tokenization as a transformative force in global investing. Hong Kong's efforts to establish itself as Asia's crypto hub were also praised, underscoring the city's leadership in digital finance regulation and innovation.