In a move that underscores the growing synergy between traditional finance and the digital asset industry, FalconX has announced a strategic partnership with global banking powerhouse Standard Chartered. This collaboration is set to enhance FalconX’s ability to serve institutional crypto investors by integrating traditional banking infrastructure with cutting-edge digital asset services.
California-based FalconX, a prominent prime brokerage platform for digital assets, will now leverage Standard Chartered’s robust banking and foreign exchange capabilities. This partnership allows FalconX’s institutional clients—ranging from asset managers and hedge funds to sovereign wealth funds and token issuers—to gain access to a broader range of fiat currencies and improved cross-border settlement efficiency.
Matt Long, General Manager for FalconX in the APAC and Middle East regions, emphasized the practical advantages of the partnership. “By tapping into Standard Chartered’s global network, our clients will benefit from faster settlements, better capital efficiency, and reduced operational risks when navigating the crypto markets,” Long said.
This alliance reflects Standard Chartered’s accelerating push into the digital asset space. In recent years, the bank has rolled out various crypto-related services, including digital asset custody in the UAE and a strategic partnership with exchange OKX to enable crypto-backed institutional trading. Standard Chartered has also worked with regulatory bodies, such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore, to pilot digital token-based solutions aimed at modernizing traditional financial systems.
Luke Boland, Head of Fintech for Asia at Standard Chartered, stated that the collaboration will initially launch in Singapore, with plans to expand across the Middle East, Asia, and the United States. “As institutional appetite for digital assets increases, we’re committed to providing the infrastructure that enables secure and scalable growth in this sector,” Boland noted.
The timing of this partnership is particularly significant. It comes on the heels of a major policy shift in the United States, where regulators have eased restrictions on banks engaging with cryptocurrency services. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) recently gave national banks the green light to offer crypto custody and trading support, paving the way for mainstream financial institutions to play a larger role in the digital economy.
Founded in 2018, FalconX has quickly risen to prominence in the crypto industry. The firm, which was last valued at $8 billion after a $150 million funding round, boasts backing from heavyweight investors including Tiger Global, GIC (Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund), and Wellington Management. With trading volumes surpassing $1.5 trillion and a clientele of over 600 institutions, FalconX is positioning itself at the forefront of institutional crypto finance.
As digital assets continue to gain legitimacy and value—expected by Standard Chartered to hit $10 trillion globally by 2026—this partnership represents a pivotal step toward a more interconnected and mature financial ecosystem for institutional players worldwide.