Standard Chartered signs definitive deal to buy Zodia Custody's regulated units
Standard Chartered signs definitive Zodia Custody agreements
Standard Chartered has signed definitive agreements to acquire the regulated operating companies of Zodia Custody. The bank announced the signing on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The deal is still subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions, so the acquisition has not yet completed.
What the agreements cover
- Standard Chartered would acquire 100% of Zodia Custody UK Limited, the parent company of Zodia's regulated operating entities.
- Those regulated entities operate in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, Luxembourg and the United Arab Emirates.
- Zodia's crypto custody business would be folded into Standard Chartered's existing Securities Services operations.
- Zodia's software and professional-services assets would move to Zodia Solutions, a separate entity under SC Ventures.
- Zodia Solutions is described as providing digital asset infrastructure for financial institutions.
What Standard Chartered announced
The details come from a Wednesday announcement by the bank. Standard Chartered said the signing moves forward a transaction first announced in May, when Zodia's shareholders accepted the bank's non-binding offer.
Crypto custody means holding and safeguarding digital assets for clients on their behalf. Securities Services is Standard Chartered's business that handles such services for institutional clients.
Earlier reporting and wider crypto plans
The UK-based lender reportedly began looking at moving Zodia's crypto custody business into its corporate and investment banking division in April, according to the source material. That detail is reported, not confirmed by the bank in the article.
The acquisition is part of the lender's wider push into crypto services. In September, Standard Chartered launched spot Bitcoin and Ether trading for institutional clients in the United Arab Emirates.
What is confirmed
Standard Chartered confirmed in its Wednesday announcement that it signed definitive agreements for the Zodia Custody entities. The scope of the deal, including the 100% acquisition of Zodia Custody UK Limited and the transfer of software and professional-services assets to Zodia Solutions, comes from that announcement.
What is still unclear
The transaction still needs regulatory approvals and must meet closing conditions. The sources do not say when those approvals might arrive or when the deal is expected to close.
Why this matters
The deal would place Zodia's regulated crypto custody entities inside a major bank's existing securities services business. It also separates Zodia's custody operations from its software and services arm, which would sit in an independent entity under SC Ventures serving financial institutions.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.