Standard Chartered is accelerating its move into digital assets through a newly announced alliance with FalconX, a prime broker serving institutional crypto traders.
The partnership, unveiled May 14, will give FalconX access to the bank’s global infrastructure and deepen its currency trading capabilities.
More than a traditional banking agreement, the collaboration lays the groundwork for expanded services tailored to the evolving needs of institutional crypto participants. The two firms plan to co-develop solutions that cater to fund managers, payment platforms, token issuers, and other large-scale players entering the digital asset economy.
FalconX’s Matt Long described the bank as a rare example of a legacy financial institution aligning closely with crypto-native needs, while Standard Chartered’s Luke Boland emphasized their commitment to supporting trusted access points for institutions navigating the crypto space.
This isn’t Standard Chartered’s first foray into digital assets. The bank recently piloted a tokenized collateral program with OKX and has been active in the sector since its early investment in Ripple nearly a decade ago.
As traditional finance firms increasingly eye the crypto frontier, this latest partnership reflects a broader shift: global banks are no longer sitting on the sidelines—they’re building the infrastructure to meet rising institutional demand.
Rumors are heating up around Solana-based memecoin platform Pump.fun, which is said to be prepping a $1 billion token sale at a $4 billion valuation—though the team has yet to confirm any details publicly.
Brad Garlinghouse has flatly denied that Ripple ever attempted to acquire Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, shutting down weeks of speculation about a potential $5 billion deal.
A sharp rally could be brewing for the S&P 500, with analysts suggesting the index may push toward 7,400 in the coming months—a move that would mark a significant leap from its current level near 5,950.
Tokenized short-term funds are quietly reshaping how institutions manage liquidity, offering a digital alternative to traditional money market products.