Standard Chartered, Coinbase deepen alliance to build institutional crypto infrastructure

cointelegraphPublished on 2025-12-14Last updated on 2025-12-14

Abstract

Standard Chartered and Coinbase have expanded their partnership to build crypto infrastructure for institutional clients. The collaboration will explore offerings across trading, prime services, custody, staking, and lending. The partnership combines Standard Chartered’s banking and custody expertise with Coinbase’s institutional crypto platform to develop secure, compliant digital asset services. This builds on their existing relationship in Singapore, where Standard Chartered provides real-time SGD transfers for Coinbase. Separately, the US OCC conditionally approved national trust bank charters for five crypto-related firms, including BitGo, Fidelity, Paxos, Circle, and Ripple. Coinbase is also expected to announce new products soon.

Standard Chartered and Coinbase have expanded their partnership to build crypto infrastructure for institutional clients.

As part of the partnership, the duo will explore offerings across trading, prime services, custody, staking and lending, the British multinational bank announced on Friday.

“We aim to explore how the two organisations can support secure, transparent and interoperable solutions that meet the highest standards of security and compliance,” Margaret Harwood-Jones, global head of financing and securities services at Standard Chartered, said.

The two firms said the partnership combines Standard Chartered’s cross-border banking and custody expertise with Coinbase’s institutional crypto platform. The goal is to develop an integrated suite of services that allows institutions to trade and manage digital assets within a secure and compliant framework.

Related: Coinbase opens Solana DEX access as CeFi and DeFi converge

Standard Chartered, Coinbase build on Singapore partnership

The announcement builds on an existing relationship in Singapore, where Standard Chartered already provides banking connectivity for Coinbase, enabling real-time Singapore dollar transfers for the exchange’s customers.

Last year, Crypto.com also partnered with Standard Chartered to roll out global retail banking services that allow users in more than 90 countries to deposit and withdraw US dollars, euros and UAE dirhams through its app.

Meanwhile, Coinbase is set to announce new products next week that could include prediction markets and tokenized stocks.

Related: Pantera, Coinbase back Surf’s $15M push to build crypto-native AI models

Bank regulator clears path for crypto trust banks

On Friday, the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conditionally approved national trust bank charter applications for five companies linked to the digital asset sector.

The approvals cover BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets and Paxos, which plan to convert existing state-chartered trust companies into national trust banks, as well as new applicants Circle and Ripple.

Magazine: 2026 is the year of pragmatic privacy in crypto — Canton, Zcash and more

Related Questions

QWhat is the main focus of the expanded partnership between Standard Chartered and Coinbase?

AThe main focus is to build crypto infrastructure for institutional clients, exploring offerings across trading, prime services, custody, staking, and lending.

QHow does the partnership leverage the strengths of both Standard Chartered and Coinbase?

AIt combines Standard Chartered's cross-border banking and custody expertise with Coinbase's institutional crypto platform to develop secure and compliant digital asset services.

QWhat existing relationship did Standard Chartered and Coinbase have in Singapore prior to this announcement?

AStandard Chartered already provides banking connectivity for Coinbase in Singapore, enabling real-time Singapore dollar transfers for the exchange's customers.

QWhat other major crypto exchange has Standard Chartered partnered with recently, and what service did they provide?

AStandard Chartered partnered with Crypto.com to roll out global retail banking services allowing users in over 90 countries to deposit and withdraw US dollars, euros, and UAE dirhams.

QWhat significant regulatory development for crypto companies was announced on the same day?

AThe US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency conditionally approved national trust bank charter applications for five digital asset companies: BitGo, Fidelity Digital Assets, Paxos, Circle, and Ripple.

Related Reads

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

The on-chain lending market has evolved from a peripheral DeFi niche into core financial infrastructure. As of early 2026, total value locked (TVL) in on-chain lending protocols has reached $64.3 billion, accounting for 53.54% of total DeFi TVL, making it the largest and most mature vertical within decentralized finance. Aave dominates the sector with approximately $32.9 billion in TVL, commanding nearly half of the market—a leadership position that is unlikely to be challenged in the foreseeable future. However, the path of on-chain lending forward is not without risk. Liquidation cascades, credit defaults, and cross-chain vulnerabilities remain systemic threats hanging over the industry. At the same time, a deeper structural transformation is underway: on-chain lending is shifting from a “leverage tool for crypto-native users” to a “compliant gateway for institutional capital”. The scale of RWA (Real World Asset) lending has surpassed $18.5 billion, with U.S. Treasuries and government securities increasingly serving as core collateral. Institutional capital inflows are reshaping both the user base and risk appetite of the sector. This report systematically analyzes the evolution of on-chain lending definitions, competitive dynamics, core risks, and future trends, providing a comprehensive industry outlook for investors and trade practitioners. Key findings suggest that the “one dominant player with several strong challengers” structure will persist in the short term, while fixed-rate lending, compliant collateral, and institutional credit underwriting will define the next phase of competition. For investors focused on DeFi infrastructure, three key opportunity tracks stand out, namely, the Aave ecosystem (Morpho, Spark), RWA lending protocols (Ondo, Maple) and fixed-rate innovation (Notional, Pendle).

HTX Learn55m ago

In-Depth Report on the On-Chain Lending Market: When Off-Chain Credit Meets On-Chain Liquidation

HTX Learn55m ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

Fu Peng, a renowned macroeconomist and now Chief Economist at New火 Group, delivered his first public speech of 2026 at the Hong Kong Web3 Festival. He explained his perspective on crypto assets and why he joined the industry, framing it within the context of macroeconomic trends and financial evolution. Fu emphasized that crypto assets are transitioning from an early, belief-driven phase to a mature, institutionally integrated asset class. He drew parallels to the 1970s-80s, when technological advances (like computing) revolutionized traditional finance, leading to the rise of FICC (Fixed Income, Currencies, and Commodities). Similarly, current advancements in AI, data, and blockchain are reshaping finance, with crypto assets becoming part of a new "FICC + C" (C for Crypto) framework. He noted that institutional capital, including traditional hedge funds, avoided early crypto due to its speculative nature but are now engaging as regulatory clarity emerges (e.g., stablecoin laws, CFTC classifying crypto as a commodity). Fu predicted that 2025-2026 marks a turning point where crypto becomes a standardized, financially viable asset for diversified portfolios, akin to commodities or derivatives in traditional finance. Fu defined Bitcoin not as "digital gold" in a simplistic sense but as a value-preserving, financially tradable asset. He highlighted that crypto's future lies in regulated, institutional adoption, moving away from retail-dominated trading. His entry into crypto signals this maturation, where traditional finance integrates crypto into mainstream asset management.

marsbit2h ago

Fu Peng's First Public Speech in 2026: What Exactly Are Crypto Assets? Why Did I Join the Crypto Asset Industry?

marsbit2h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

Justin Sun, founder of Tron, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against World Liberty Financial (WLF), alleging he was made the "primary target of a fraudulent scheme" after investing $75 million. Sun claims the investment secured him an advisor title and WLFI tokens, which were later frozen by WLF, causing "hundreds of millions in losses." The dispute began in late 2024 when Sun's investment helped revive WLF's struggling token sale, which ultimately raised $550 million. Shortly after, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Sun following Donald Trump's inauguration. However, relations soured when Sun refused WLF's demands for additional funding. In August 2025, WLF added a "blacklist" function to its smart contract, allowing it to unilaterally freeze tokens. Sun's holdings, worth approximately $107 million, were frozen, and he was threatened with token destruction. The lawsuit highlights WLF's structure, which directs 75% of token sale profits to the Trump family, who had earned $1 billion by December 2025. WLF's CEO is Zach Witkoff, son of U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff. The project faces scrutiny for opaque operations, including a controversial loan arrangement on the Dolomite platform, co-founded by a WLF advisor. Despite Sun's history with the SEC, the case underscores centralization risks within DeFi, as WLF controls governance and holds powers to freeze assets arbitrarily. Sun's tokens remain frozen as legal proceedings begin.

marsbit2h ago

Justin Sun Sues Trump Family: What $75 Million Bought Was Only a Blacklist

marsbit2h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures
活动图片