Standard Chartered Partners with B2C2 to Enhance Institutional Crypto Access
•February 18, 2026
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Companies Mentioned
Why It Matters
The collaboration delivers a regulated, scalable gateway for institutions to trade digital assets, sharpening the competitive edge of both firms and deepening crypto’s foothold in mainstream finance.
Key Takeaways
- •Partnership merges Standard Chartered's banking rails with B2C2 liquidity
- •Targets asset managers, hedge funds, corporates, family offices
- •Enhances fiat‑to‑crypto settlement speed and reliability
- •Expands B2C2's institutional footprint via global regulatory credentials
- •Signals growing demand for regulated crypto services in Asia
Pulse Analysis
Institutional appetite for digital assets has shifted from curiosity to necessity, driven by portfolio diversification goals and client demand for exposure to blockchain‑based instruments. Traditional banks, however, have struggled to offer the speed and depth required for large‑scale crypto trades without compromising compliance. By pairing its extensive global banking network with B2C2’s market‑making expertise, Standard Chartered positions itself as a conduit that satisfies both regulatory rigor and the liquidity needs of sophisticated investors.
B2C2, backed by Japan’s SBI Group, operates one of the world’s most robust crypto liquidity pools, covering major tokens and offering both spot and options products. The partnership creates a direct API link that routes client orders through Standard Chartered’s settlement infrastructure, effectively turning fiat deposits into instantly tradable crypto positions. This durable connectivity layer reduces settlement latency, minimizes counterparty risk, and provides a single‑point compliance framework, which is especially valuable for hedge funds and family offices that require transparent audit trails.
The alliance underscores a broader trend: banks are increasingly viewing digital assets as a core component of their service offering rather than a peripheral experiment. In Asia, where regulatory clarity is advancing and capital flows are substantial, the combined offering could accelerate the migration of trillions of dollars into crypto markets. Competitors will likely follow suit, prompting a wave of similar collaborations that blend traditional finance credibility with the agility of crypto liquidity providers, ultimately shaping the next phase of the financial ecosystem.
Standard Chartered Partners with B2C2 to Enhance Institutional Crypto Access
Standard Chartered, the international banking group, has partnered with B2C2, a global leader in institutional liquidity for digital assets.
The collaboration aims to combine Standard Chartered’s global banking infrastructure with B2C2’s deep liquidity in crypto spot and options markets. The move is designed to improve institutional access to digital asset markets, specifically targeting asset managers, hedge funds, corporates, and family offices.
Bridging TradFi and Crypto
Luke Boland, head of fintech, Asia at Standard Chartered
Under the agreement, B2C2 will offer its client base direct connectivity to Standard Chartered’s network of banking rails and settlement facilities. The primary objective is to reduce the friction often associated with fiat-to-crypto flows and enable faster, more reliable settlement processes.
This partnership comes as institutional adoption of digital assets continues to accelerate, particularly in Asia, driven by a growing demand for regulated access to the asset class.
Luke Boland, head of fintech, Asia at Standard Chartered, commented: “As digital assets move from the periphery to the core of global finance, we are enabling regulated, scalable market linkage without compromising execution or risk management.”
A durable connectivity layer
Thomas Restout, B2C2 group CEO
B2C2, which is majority-owned by Japanese financial conglomerate SBI, views the partnership as a way to expand its institutional footprint by leveraging Standard Chartered’s regulatory credentials.
Thomas Restout, group CEO of B2C2, added: “Standard Chartered’s global reach, strong regulatory credentials and commitment to digital assets make it an ideal strategic counterpart as we continue to expand our institutional footprint. Together, we are building a durable connectivity layer between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem.”
The partnership represents another step in the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and the digital asset economy, providing a “best-in-class” experience that blends regulated banking services with institutional-grade crypto liquidity.
The post Standard Chartered Partners with B2C2 to Enhance Institutional Crypto Access appeared first on The Fintech Times.
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