Standard Chartered Weighs Taiwan Digital-Asset Custody Push
Taiwan is preparing a dedicated regulatory framework for virtual-asset services, potentially opening a clearer path for banks to offer digital-asset products. Standard Chartered is assessing a custody business on the island as Taiwan’s semiconductor and AI industries generate growing cross-border capital flows. The move would allow the bank to apply its global custody capabilities in a market where institutional participation will depend heavily on regulatory certainty.
Standard Chartered said its decision would hinge on two factors: clarity in Taiwan’s regulatory environment and demonstrated client demand. The Virtual Asset Service Act could take effect as early as the first quarter of 2027. If the plan proceeds, the bank expects to combine global resources with local governance and sees virtual assets as a way to improve the efficiency of fund transfers. It has not disclosed an investment amount or a formal launch date.
All Coverage
2 original reportsThe Backstory
The history behind this eventStandard Chartered Maps Six Trends Reshaping Corporate Treasury
Corporate treasury is evolving from a back-office function focused on payments and cash balances into a real-time hub for liquidity, risk and cross-border operations. Standard Chartered said artificial intelligence, programmable payments, tokenisation and regulated digital-asset custody are moving closer to mainstream corporate use. The shift matters because companies must modernise financial infrastructure while preserving security, regulatory compliance and control across markets.
At its 2026 Treasury Management Forum, Standard Chartered identified six trends reshaping finance, highlighting real-time transactions, AI adoption, tokenisation and accelerating use of digital assets. Discussions examined how programmable payments could streamline cross-border fund flows and improve liquidity, alongside compliant custody frameworks for digital assets. The bank said it would draw on its global network and digital-asset capabilities to help corporate clients advance towards more intelligent, integrated treasury management.
Subscribe to Mark Radar Weekly
Every Friday, the week's strongest signals in your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.
If you search news on Google, you can set Mark Radar as a preferred source—our coverage will show up more often in your results. Set as preferred source on Google →