Standard Chartered and Hana Group Join Hands for Digital Assets Business

TheNewsCryptoPublished on 2026-03-16Last updated on 2026-03-16

Abstract

Standard Chartered and South Korea's Hana Financial Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on digital assets initiatives, including cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. This partnership aims to leverage both institutions' expertise and networks to expand their presence in the global traditional finance industry. This move follows Hana's previous partnership with BitGo, where it acquired a 25% stake to advance crypto institutionalization in South Korea. Separately, Standard Chartered has been active in the digital asset space, having launched Bitcoin and Ethereum trading for institutional clients through its UK branch in 2025. Both chairmen expressed strong support, with Standard Chartered’s Bill Winters calling South Korea a key Asian financial hub and the partnership a milestone for global network business. The collaboration reflects growing institutional demand and competition in the digital assets sector.

Standard Chartered and Hana Group have announced a collaboration. Their core objective is to advance the business of digital assets. This includes not only generic cryptocurrencies but also stablecoins. The mutual exploration of a joint initiative in the digital asset sector comes months after Hana Group and BitGo entered into a partnership.

Standard Chartered and Hana Group

South Korean venture Hana Group and Standard Chartered have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore several initiatives in the sector of digital assets. They will leverage their respective expertise and networks to expand presence in the traditional finance industry worldwide.

Chairman of the Hana Financial Group, Ham Young-joo, has hailed the collaboration and said they will work to create new growth opportunities. Bill Winters, Chairman of Standard Chartered, has also reportedly issued a statement. Winters has called South Korea a key hub of the financial market in Asia, adding that the partnership is a key milestone for global network business.

Standard Chartered in Digital Asset Sector

Standard Chartered achieved a significant feat in 2025. That’s when it became one of the major banks to launch Ethereum and Bitcoin trading for institutional clients. Driven by institutional demand, the move was rolled out through its UK branch as the price of BTC was reaching new records.

The bank confirmed in a statement that clients were able to conduct spot crypto trading. It was already offering trading and other crypto products via Zodia Markets and Zodia Custody, its two independent subsidiaries.

Bill confirmed in a statement, at that time, that they aim to enable clients to transact trade and management of digital assets safely. He also confirmed that client demands were accelerating for the product.

Hana and BitGo

Hana Group’s previous partnership was with BitGo, wherein SK Telecom was also a part. Both became a major shareholder in the South Korean aim of BitGo with an aim to spearhead the institutionalization of cryptocurrencies in the region. Hana acquired 25% stake, while a 10% stake was acquired by SK.

Hana committed to provide reliable crypto custody services, SK offered to provide its know-how in multiple sections. These were user authentication, security, and ID verification.

That said, the competition in the stablecoin segment is brewing up between USD1 and DAI, with the former closing the gap in terms of market cap. World Liberty Financial USD sits on a market cap of over $4.56 billion, DAI on more than $5.36 billion.

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TagsDigital AssetStandard Chartered

Related Questions

QWhat is the core objective of the collaboration between Standard Chartered and Hana Group?

AThe core objective is to advance the business of digital assets, including generic cryptocurrencies and stablecoins.

QWhich Standard Chartered subsidiaries were already offering crypto trading and custody services before this partnership?

AZodia Markets and Zodia Custody, its two independent subsidiaries, were already offering trading and other crypto products.

QWhat previous significant partnership did Hana Group have in the digital asset space, and who were the partners?

AHana Group previously partnered with BitGo, and SK Telecom was also involved, with Hana acquiring a 25% stake and SK acquiring a 10% stake in BitGo's South Korean operations.

QWhat did Bill Winters, Chairman of Standard Chartered, say about South Korea's role in the financial market?

ABill Winters called South Korea a key hub of the financial market in Asia and stated that the partnership is a key milestone for their global network business.

QWhat was the market capitalization of World Liberty Financial USD and DAI as mentioned in the article?

AWorld Liberty Financial USD had a market cap of over $4.56 billion, while DAI had a market cap of more than $5.36 billion.

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