Standard Chartered CEO Predicts ‘Complete Rewiring’ of Finance as Blockchain Adoption Accelerates
Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters says the monetary world is on the verge of a serious transformation, predicting that just about all international transactions will finally choose blockchain networks.
Key Takeaways:
- Standard Chartered CEO Bill Winters predicts that just about all international transactions will finally be settled on blockchain networks.
- Winters mentioned the transition to digital cash would require years of collaboration.
- The financial institution is increasing its blockchain tasks, together with a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin and tokenization pilots.
Speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week on Monday, Winters mentioned digital cash and blockchain-based settlements will outline the following period of international finance.
“Our perception, which I feel is shared by the management of Hong Kong, is that just about all transactions will choose blockchains finally, and that each one cash will likely be digital,” he mentioned.
Blockchain Shift Will Require “Complete Rewiring” of Global Finance
Winters added that the shift would require years of experimentation and collaboration between governments, regulators, and the non-public sector.
“Think about what which means: a whole rewiring of the monetary system,” he mentioned.
Standard Chartered, headquartered in London and listed in each London and Hong Kong, has been one of probably the most energetic conventional banks embracing blockchain expertise.
The financial institution operates digital asset custody providers, buying and selling platforms, and tokenization initiatives.
Winters praised Hong Kong’s position in pioneering regulation and innovation, highlighting the town’s management in digital finance alongside Financial Secretary Paul Chan.
The remarks come as Hong Kong pushes to cement itself as Asia’s crypto and digital asset hub, with a licensing regime for exchanges and pilots in tokenization, a discipline wherein Standard Chartered is instantly concerned.
Tokenized belongings, such as digital representations of bonds, shares, or commodities, may be recorded and traded on blockchains.
Standard Chartered can be growing a Hong Kong dollar-backed stablecoin in partnership with Animoca Brands and HKT below the town’s new regulatory framework.
Winters mentioned he sees the venture as a key step towards constructing new digital cost infrastructure for worldwide commerce.
The Standard Chartered chief joins a rising refrain of major finance leaders betting on tokenization.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev not too long ago referred to as tokenization a “freight practice” headed for mainstream markets inside 5 years, whereas BlackRock CEO Larry Fink mentioned earlier this yr that tokenized securities will eventually encompass “each asset class,” reshaping international investing.
Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures to Launch $250M Digital Asset Fund
As reported, Standard Chartered’s enterprise arm, SC Ventures, plans to launch a $250 million fund in 2026 targeted on digital belongings and monetary providers innovation, with backing from Middle Eastern buyers.
Speaking on the Money 20/20 fintech convention in Riyadh, SC Ventures’ working member Gautam Jain mentioned the fund will goal blockchain, tokenization, and different regulated digital asset alternatives as the agency deepens its fintech footprint.
Alongside this initiative, SC Ventures goals to determine a $100 million Africa fund and is weighing the launch of its first enterprise debt fund.
Founded in 2018, SC Ventures has expanded aggressively throughout areas, together with launching operations in Saudi Arabia earlier this yr, and plans to arrange a home fund there targeted on minority stakes and new enterprise ventures by 2026.
In the early days of 2025, Standard Chartered secured a Luxembourg license to present crypto custody below the EU’s MiCA framework.
This got here after the bank launched crypto custody services in the UAE after acquiring a DFSA license in Dubai.
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