In a strategic push to meet rising institutional demand for digital assets, FalconX has entered into a partnership with global banking heavyweight Standard Chartered. The collaboration aims to enhance crypto market access and settlement capabilities for large-scale investors by integrating traditional banking services with FalconX’s prime brokerage platform.
Announced on Tuesday, the deal will allow FalconX to leverage Standard Chartered’s cross-border banking infrastructure and foreign exchange services, creating a smoother and more efficient on-ramp to digital asset markets for institutional clients. The initial rollout will target Singapore-based clients, with expansion plans already set for broader regions across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
“This partnership enables us to deliver dependable banking and FX solutions to institutional players navigating the digital asset space,” said Matt Long, FalconX’s General Manager for APAC and the Middle East.
FalconX Deal Signals Institutional Shift in Crypto
The partnership between FalconX and Standard Chartered marks the crypto broker’s first alliance with a major global bank, signaling a notable shift as institutional finance deepens its engagement with digital assets. The move comes amid a broader surge in institutional interest, fueled by the U.S. approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs and advancing global regulatory frameworks.
Standard Chartered has positioned itself as one of the most crypto-forward banks among its peers. With projections that the digital asset market could reach $10 trillion by 2026, the bank has ramped up initiatives across multiple regions.
These include launching crypto custody services in the UAE, establishing a new digital asset division in the EU, and enabling institutional clients to use crypto as collateral through a partnership with exchange OKX. In 2023, the bank also became one of the first global institutions to introduce spot trading desks for Bitcoin and Ethereum—further underscoring its commitment to bridging traditional finance and the crypto economy.
FalconX Expands Reach Amid Surging Demand
For FalconX, the alliance with Standard Chartered marks a strategic leap forward in scaling its institutional footprint. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the digital asset prime broker serves a roster of heavyweight clients, including hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, and global asset managers.
The firm reports having facilitated over $1.5 trillion in cryptocurrency trades across more than 400 digital assets. Its growing stature in the institutional space is backed by major investors such as Singapore’s GIC, Wellington Management, and Tiger Global. FalconX was last valued at $8 billion.
Further bolstering its institutional toolkit, FalconX recently acquired crypto derivatives firm Arbelos Markets. In March, the firm made headlines for executing the first block trade of Solana futures on CME Group—just ahead of the product’s official market debut.
Quick Facts
- FalconX and Standard Chartered have entered a strategic partnership to enhance institutional crypto services.
- The collaboration will initially serve clients in Singapore, with plans for broader expansion.
- FalconX will integrate Standard Chartered’s banking infrastructure and access to a wide range of currency pairs.
- The partnership reflects increasing institutional demand for digital assets through traditional financial systems.
