Standard Chartered venture arm, SC Ventures, announced during Money 2020 in Saudi Arabia, that it is planning to raise $250 million for a digital assets fund targeting the financial services sector. It is expected to launch the fund in 2026 with participation from investors in the Middle East.
Gautam Jain, operating member, revealed the plans during the Money 20/20 fintech event in Riyadh signaling the firm’s intention to expand its role in the growing global fintech and digital assets ecosystem. According to Jain, the capital will fund financial services, particularly in sectors like tokenization, blockchain technology, and other regulated digital asset plays.
SC Ventures will also create a $100 million fund for Africa. Founded in 2018, SC Ventures was established to back technology startups and develop innovative projects for Standard Chartered. The firm launched operations in Saudi Arabia in January 2025 and will establish a Saudi fund focused on minority investments and new business launches.
Earlier this year, Standard Chartered Bank, became the first globally significant financial institution to offer spot trading for Bitcoin and Ethereum through its U.K. branch. It has also advanced tokenization via its blockchain platform, Libeara, and teamed up with exchanges such as OKX to provide collateral solutions involving cryptocurrencies and tokenized money market funds.
Standard Chartered also offers crypto custody services in UAE through its DFSA license in Dubai.
SC Ventures set up digital asset joint venture in UAE
In 2024, Standard Chartered’s venture capital firm, SC Ventures, opened an office in ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market) Abu Dhabi UAE, after setting up a digital asset joint venture with Japanese SBI Holdings in the UAE.
SC Ventures office had noted that it would be engaging with the fintech and startup ecosystem in Abu Dhabi and the region; identify venture-building capabilities and partnerships with UAE’s venture capital community; invest in promising growth opportunities, collaborate with local universities and explore new technologies and business trends. The ADGM office will follow SC Ventures’ four high-conviction themes that include Online Economy & Lifestyle, Digital Assets, SMEs & World Trade and Sustainability and inclusion.
