Standard Chartered signs binding deal to buy crypto custodian Zodia Custody, pending regulators

Published Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:06:23 UTC · Updated Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:07:22 UTC · Edited by Bizzle · AI-assisted

🟢BullishA global bank is moving to bring a regulated crypto custodian fully in-house, a sign of deeper institutional commitment, though the deal still needs regulatory approval.News sentiment, not financial advice. It reflects the likely impact of this news, not a price prediction.

Summary

Standard Chartered has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% of crypto custodian Zodia Custody, subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, the bank said on Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to Cointelegraph and The Block.

The deal covers the company that owns Zodia's regulated operating entities in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates; Cointelegraph names it Zodia Custody UK Limited while The Block names it Zodia Custody Limited, and financial terms were not disclosed, The Block reported.

After the deal closes, Zodia's custody business will be folded into Standard Chartered's Securities Services division, while its software and professional-services business moves to a separate company under SC Ventures called Zodia Solutions, both outlets reported.

The signing follows Zodia's shareholders accepting the bank's non-binding offer in May; The Block says definitive agreements had initially been targeted for the end of June, with completion expected by the end of August.

Updates

Update, Wed, 21 Oct 2026 19:07:22 UTC: Oct. 21: Bitcoin Magazine also reported the agreement, saying Standard Chartered will integrate Zodia Custody's bitcoin and crypto services into its own.

Key facts

Zodia Solutions will count Standard Chartered among its customers and has investors including Northern Trust, NAB Ventures, SBI Ventures and Emirates NBD Bank, according to The Block. (The Block)
Zodia Custody CEO Julian Sawyer stepped down in September, with former chief revenue officer Richard Clark taking over, The Block reported. (The Block)
Standard Chartered launched spot bitcoin and ether trading for institutional clients in the UAE in September, Cointelegraph reported. (Cointelegraph)
Earlier this month the bank announced plans to launch crypto custody services in Singapore by the end of 2026, and Zodia won a Luxembourg payment institution license in June for stablecoin custody and transfers across the EU, per The Block. (The Block)