May 14, 2026
By Anjali Kochhar
Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) has partnered with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross-border payment and settlement infrastructure for digital asset transactions across Asia and the Middle East, marking another major step toward integrating traditional banking with the growing crypto economy.
Under the agreement, Standard Chartered will provide correspondent banking and clearing services through its international network, helping SGB improve multi-currency payment capabilities for institutional clients. The collaboration is expected to enable faster settlements, lower transaction friction, and more efficient cross-border payment flows for businesses operating in digital assets and stablecoins.
The partnership comes at a time when financial institutions are increasingly exploring blockchain-powered infrastructure and digital asset services to meet rising institutional demand. Singapore Gulf Bank, licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain, has been actively positioning itself as a regulated banking platform focused on digital asset markets and real-time payment systems.
SGB Chief Executive Officer Shawn Chan said the traditional banking system often creates delays because international transfers rely on multiple intermediary banks and fragmented settlement networks. According to Chan, the new collaboration with Standard Chartered aims to streamline these processes and create more efficient payment corridors capable of supporting round-the-clock digital asset activity.
Standard Chartered Expands Its Digital Asset Banking Strategy H2
The agreement also reflects Standard Chartered’s growing involvement in the blockchain and crypto sector. The bank has already expanded into digital asset custody, tokenization initiatives, and stablecoin-related infrastructure projects in recent years. Industry analysts say the partnership demonstrates how established global banks are increasingly working alongside crypto-focused firms instead of viewing them solely as competitors.
Singapore Gulf Bank Pushes Real-Time Stablecoin Infrastructure H2
Singapore Gulf Bank has introduced several digital asset-focused services over the past year. In 2025, the bank launched “SGB Net,” a proprietary settlement platform designed to provide real-time multi-currency transfers and 24/7 payment capabilities for institutional users. Earlier this year, the bank also rolled out services enabling institutions to mint, hold, and trade stablecoins including USDC and USDT across blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum.
Asia and Middle East Emerging as Key Digital Asset Corridors H2
Experts believe the collaboration could help accelerate institutional adoption of blockchain-based financial services, particularly in regions where demand for faster and cheaper international transactions continues to grow. Asia and the Middle East have emerged as key markets for digital asset innovation due to supportive regulatory frameworks and increasing interest from both fintech companies and traditional financial institutions.
The SGB-Standard Chartered partnership highlights a broader shift within global finance, where regulated banks and digital asset firms are building hybrid infrastructure to bridge conventional banking systems with the rapidly evolving crypto economy.
Title: Singapore Gulf Bank and Standard Chartered Partner to Expand Digital Asset Payment Corridors
Description: Singapore Gulf Bank has partnered with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross-border payment infrastructure for digital assets and stablecoins across Asia and the Middle East.
