SC Ventures, Standard Chartered’s venture arm, plans to raise a US$250 million fund for digital assets in 2026, Bloomberg reported.
Operating partner Gautam Jain announced the plan at the Money 20/20 conference in Riyadh, saying the vehicle will target global financial services opportunities with backing from Middle Eastern investors.
The fund will focus on early-stage companies developing digital custody infrastructure, compliance tools and hybrid platforms that connect fiat and crypto ecosystems.
SC Ventures is also preparing a US$100 million Africa fund and exploring its first venture debt vehicle, though it has not confirmed whether these will include digital assets.
The announcement in Saudi Arabia underscores the Middle East’s rise as a crypto and blockchain hub, with Dubai and Riyadh introducing progressive regulations and sovereign wealth funds pouring capital into blockchain projects.
SC Ventures’ presence in these markets positions it to attract both investors and deal flow.
Since launching in 2018, SC Ventures has incubated and invested in firms spanning digital payments, sustainable finance and financial infrastructure.
It already backs Libeara, Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, which provide institutional custody, trading and tokenisation services.
Featured image: Edited by Fintech News Singapore, based on image by Frolopiaton Palm via Freepik
