Standard Chartered signs definitive agreements to acquire Zodia Custody and fold it into its Securities Services business

Standard Chartered has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% of Zodia Custody Limited, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The agreements follow the acceptance of the bank's non-binding offer in May 2026.

Zodia Custody oversees regulated entities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, the UAE and Luxembourg. After closing, its custody operations move into Standard Chartered's Securities Services unit, so the bank can offer institutional clients traditional securities and digital asset services on one platform. The bank expects no disruption for existing clients.

Zodia's software and professional services business is being carved out into Zodia Solutions, an independent company under SC Ventures, backed by NAB Ventures, Northern Trust, SBI Ventures Asset, Further Ventures, Emirates NBD, Investcorp and SC Ventures. It will sell digital asset infrastructure to banks, Standard Chartered included.

Ying Ying Tan, Global Head of Securities Services and Digital Assets, said the deal deepens the bank's custody portfolio.