Standard Chartered and TP ICAP team up to streamline institutional crypto trading

Standard Chartered and TP ICAP have formed a new partnership to boost institutional access to digital assets. The collaboration links Standard Chartered's regulated custody services with TP ICAP's UK-based crypto exchange, Fusion Digital Assets. Both firms aim to simplify trading and settlement for shared clients.

Under the agreement, Standard Chartered will act as the digital asset custodian and settlement agent for TP ICAP's Fusion Digital Assets platform. This setup allows TP ICAP to settle blockchain-based transactions directly through its own accounts—a first for the firm. Duncan Trenholme, Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at TP ICAP, highlighted this as a key milestone for their operations.

Fusion Digital Assets is operated by TP ICAP E&C Limited, a company registered with the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for crypto activities. The platform launched in 2024 but has not released public figures on account growth or transaction volumes up to March 2026. The partnership also supports TP ICAP's push to expand its matched principal trading services. By combining its market infrastructure with Standard Chartered's regulated digital asset capabilities, the firms hope to accelerate institutional adoption. Margaret Harwood-Jones, Global Head of Financing & Securities Services at Standard Chartered, described the collaboration as a step toward merging traditional and digital finance.

Shared clients can now access both Standard Chartered's custody solution and TP ICAP's spot crypto exchange. The move strengthens the connection between regulated banking and digital asset markets. It also provides institutions with a streamlined way to trade and settle crypto transactions.