Standard Chartered (LON: STAN) announced that it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Zodia Custody. This step follows the earlier acceptance of the bank’s non-binding offer by Zodia Custody’s shareholders and noteholders.
Completion remains conditional on regulatory approvals and standard closing requirements.
Under the agreements, Standard Chartered I H Limited will purchase 100 percent of Zodia Custody UK Limited.
That entity serves as the parent of Zodia’s regulated operating companies in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Luxembourg.
Once the transaction closes, Zodia’s regulated digital asset custody operations will be folded into Standard Chartered’s existing digital-asset custody activities inside its Securities Services division.
The integration is intended to combine the group’s digital-asset custody businesses.
Officials expect it to unlock revenue synergies, strengthen overall digital-asset capabilities, and support the creation of a single client platform that covers both traditional and digital asset securities services for institutional customers worldwide.
At the same time, Zodia Custody will separate its digital asset software and professional-services business.
The related assets will be transferred to a new independent company called Zodia Solutions, which will be established under SC Ventures.
Zodia Solutions will continue supplying bank-grade infrastructure to financial institutions, including Standard Chartered itself, helping those institutions launch and expand digital-asset services.
The new entity will receive backing from a group of bank and investment investors that includes NAB Ventures Pty Limited, Northern Trust Corporation, SBI Ventures Asset Pte. Ltd, Q Studio Restricted Limited (Further Ventures), Emirates NBD Bank (P.J.S.C.), Zodia Investments Limited (Investcorp), and Zodia Holdings Limited (owned by SC Ventures).
Ying Ying Tan, Global Head of Securities Services and Digital Assets at Standard Chartered, stated that the bank continues to invest in its platform and expand capabilities to meet changing client needs.
She noted that the acquisition deepens the group’s digital-asset custody portfolio and reinforces its standing as a leading global provider of digital asset services, consistent with the commitment to give clients access to institutional-grade custody supported by the scale and international connectivity of a major cross-border bank.
Richard Clark, Chief Executive Officer of Zodia Custody, observed that custody is increasingly becoming part of the global banking landscape as institutional adoption of digital assets accelerates.
He said Zodia has built a strong business with the specialist expertise required by institutional clients, and that combining that expertise with Standard Chartered’s global reach and established banking platform will strengthen the custody offering and give institutions wider access to trusted, regulated services.
Craig Perrin, Chief Executive Officer of Zodia Solutions, added that financial institutions are moving beyond pilot projects and now need trusted technology partners able to support services at scale.
He explained that Zodia Solutions supplies bank-grade technology that enables institutions to launch, operate, and grow digital asset capabilities.
The parties have indicated that existing Zodia Custody clients should experience no disruption.
Those clients will continue to receive service in the usual way throughout the transition.
The announcement marks a further stage in the process that began with the non-binding offer accepted in May 2026. Financial terms have not been disclosed, and the final outcome continues to depend on regulatory clearances in the relevant jurisdictions.
