OKX, cryptocurrency exchange and global onchain technology company, will be utilizing Standard Chartered, cross-border bank connecting the world’s most dynamic markets, as a third-party crypto custodian for its global institutional business.

The custody agreement with Standard Chartered is a significant addition to OKX’s comprehensive suite of institutional services, which includes advanced trading capabilities, robust risk management tools and enhanced custody solutions. By leveraging Standard Chartered’s extensive global banking expertise and rigorous risk management framework, OKX aims to offer institutional investors a broader range of secure and reliable custody solutions.

OKX Global Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai said, “We selected Standard Chartered as an institutional custodian partner to enhance our offering and accelerate the integration of digital assets within the traditional financial ecosystem. Standard Chartered’s extensive global banking expertise and unwavering commitment to security aligns with our objective to provide exceptional crypto services and reinforces the confidence of our institutional clients in managing their digital assets.”

Standard Chartered Global Head of Financing & Securities Services Margaret Harwood-Jones said “We are committed to offering custodial services that meet the highest standards of safety and compliance. Serving as OKX’s third-party custodian allows us to extend our expertise into the evolving cryptocurrency sector, providing institutional investors with the assurance they require.”

This collaboration is expected to attract increased institutional participation in the digital asset market, contributing to a more mature environment for institutions globally. It aligns with the findings of a recently published OKX-commissioned research brief authored by Economist Impact, entitled “Digital assets as the new alternative for institutional investors: market dynamics, opportunities and challenges,” which highlights institutional investors’ view that digital assets are an inevitable institutional opportunity. The report also finds that 80% of traditional and crypto hedge funds utilizing digital assets employ third-party custodians, highlighting strong demand for segregation of duties related to trade execution and asset custody.

Prior to this announcement Brevan Howard became the first client for Standard Chartered regulated crypto custody service out of DIFC. DIFC ( Dubai International Financial center) regulator DFSA ( Dubai Financial has granted a license to Standard Chartered for its digital asset custody service in the UAE.