Standard Chartered and B2C2 partner to boost institutional crypto access

Standard Chartered has signed a strategic partnership with B2C2 aimed at making it easier for institutions to trade crypto with the kind of settlement and risk infrastructure they expect from traditional finance.

Standard Chartered and B2C2 team up to connect banking rails with institutional crypto liquidity

In a press release dated 11 February 2026, the bank said the collaboration combines Standard Chartered’s global banking infrastructure and settlement facilities with B2C2’s institutional crypto liquidity across spot and options markets. The goal, both sides say, is a smoother “fiat-to-crypto” experience: fewer frictions, faster settlement, and a more reliable link between regulated banking services and crypto market execution.

The practical promise is on connectivity. Under the agreement, B2C2 will offer its institutional client base—named as asset managers, hedge funds, corporates, and family offices—future direct connectivity and liquidity provision into Standard Chartered’s banking rails and settlement network. In other words: B2C2 brings the pricing and liquidity; Standard Chartered brings the pipes that institutions already trust.

Luke Boland, Standard Chartered’s Head of Fintech, Asia, framed the partnership as building “regulated, scalable market linkage” as digital assets move closer to the core of global finance. B2C2 Group CEO Thomas Restout pointed to Standard Chartered’s “global reach” and “strong regulatory credentials” as a reason for partnering, positioning the deal as a durable bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem.

Why it matters for crypto

• It’s a “plumbing” deal, not a marketing deal. Linking institutional liquidity with bank-grade settlement rails targets the operational bottlenecks that still slow fiat-to-crypto flows.
• Options liquidity is explicitly included. The announcement highlights spot and options, which matters for institutions managing risk and executing structured exposure.
• This is how crypto gets normalized inside TradFi workflows. Institutions tend to adopt fastest when execution, settlement, and controls look familiar—and a global bank’s rails help make that true.
• Asia is a key battleground for regulated access. Standard Chartered’s Asia fintech leadership is quoted, and the release frames adoption momentum across Asia and beyond.

What to watch next

• When “future direct connectivity” becomes live connectivity. The release signals intent; the market will watch for rollout timing and how it’s implemented for clients.
• Which corridors and currencies get prioritized. If the point is smoother fiat-to-crypto flows, the first live routes will matter (and will likely define early adoption).
• Whether the partnership expands beyond liquidity + settlement. The current scope is clear; follow-on services (credit, financing, collateral workflows) would be the next meaningful layer if announced.
• Institutional client uptake. Named client categories are broad; real traction will show up in usage, integrations, and repeatability across funds and corporates.

Source: Standard Chartered press release