Standard Chartered has been selected as the digital asset custodian for crypto fund manager 21Shares, marking another major traditional finance institution’s expansion into cryptocurrency services. The move raises questions about the future role of Zodia Custody, the bank’s own crypto-native custody subsidiary. This development signals deepening institutional involvement in the digital asset ecosystem.
about Standard Chartered to Custody 21Shares' Digital AssetsZodia Custody
0 in Finance and 0 in Crypto last weekZodia Custody Exits Japan Venture with SBI Holdings
Zodia Custody, the digital asset custody firm backed by Standard Chartered, has ended its two-year joint venture with Japan’s SBI Holdings. The venture, SBI Zodia Custody, was structured with SBI holding a 51% majority stake and Zodia Custody owning 49%. According to Zodia CEO Julian Sawyer, the dissolution was a mutual strategic decision as both companies have shifted their priorities elsewhere. The venture had been established to bring institutional-grade custodial services to Japan’s digital asset market, but both parties have now agreed to pursue separate paths forward in the evolving crypto custody landscape.
about Zodia Custody Exits Japan Venture with SBI HoldingsGyld Finance Raises $1.5M to Institutionalize Staking Markets
London-based Gyld Finance has closed a $1.5 million pre-seed round led by Lightshift to build regulated financial infrastructure for institutional staking markets. Founded by Abbas Ali (ex-J.P. Morgan) and Ruchir Gupta (ex-GSR), the company is creating liquid term staking instruments that will allow asset managers to treat staking rewards as a tradable asset class. With over $500 billion currently staked across major blockchains, Gyld’s solution addresses critical institutional needs including active portfolio management, capital efficiency, and risk hedging against staking reward volatility. The platform has secured strategic partnerships with Figment and Blockdaemon for validator operations, and Zodia Custody and Copper for institutional-grade custody solutions. Gyld has commenced a pilot program and is now onboarding early adopters from asset management and trading firms.
about Gyld Finance Raises $1.5M to Institutionalize Staking MarketsTRM Labs Launches Beacon Network to Combat Crypto Crime
TRM Labs’ Beacon Network represents a significant advancement in combating cryptocurrency crime through real-time detection and response capabilities. Developed with partners including Ripple, Binance, Stripe, and multiple law enforcement agencies, the network flags criminal addresses and triggers immediate alerts when tagged funds reach participating exchanges. This allows platforms to freeze suspicious deposits before criminals can convert them to fiat. The initiative addresses the urgent need for faster responses in an ecosystem where over $47 billion in crypto has been sent to fraudulent addresses since 2023, with $2 billion stolen just this year. By providing free access to law enforcement and verified exchanges, Beacon Network aims to create coordinated defenses against increasingly sophisticated crypto crimes that often outpace traditional response times.
about TRM Labs Launches Beacon Network to Combat Crypto CrimeStandard Chartered Launches UK Bitcoin & Ether Spot Desk
Standard Chartered has introduced a London-based spot trading desk for Bitcoin and Ether, catering to institutional clients such as corporates, asset managers, and professional investors. The desk operates under the bank’s UK banking licence, ensuring crypto settlement meets the same standards as major fiat currencies. The service leverages Standard Chartered’s existing FX infrastructure, allowing seamless integration with traditional currency pairs. The move follows growing institutional demand for regulated crypto trading venues, spurred by the approval of US spot Bitcoin ETFs earlier this year. The bank’s existing ventures, Zodia Custody and Zodia Markets, complement the new desk, enabling better risk control and margin capture. Trades are processed using the same reconciliation and risk engines as FX, with private keys securely managed by Zodia Custody.
about Standard Chartered Launches UK Bitcoin & Ether Spot DeskPaxos Launches MiCA-Compliant USDG Stablecoin in EU
Paxos has introduced its USDG stablecoin in the European Union, emphasizing compliance with the Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). The stablecoin is issued via Paxos Issuance Europe OY, a Finland-based entity supervised by the local financial authority. USDG is available on platforms like Kraken, Gate, and Coinmetro, with reserves held in European banks to meet MiCA’s strict requirements. Paxos ensures one-to-one redemption and full regulatory adherence, positioning USDG as a trusted stablecoin in the EU market.
about Paxos Launches MiCA-Compliant USDG Stablecoin in EUZodia Custody & Everstake Boost Institutional Staking
Everstake, a leading non-custodial staking provider, has partnered with Zodia Custody to enhance institutional staking services. The collaboration will initially support Polkadot (DOT), Cardano (ADA), and Solana (SOL), with plans to extend to Ethereum (ETH), NEAR Protocol (NEAR), and Babylon (BABY) in the coming months. The partnership addresses key institutional concerns such as slashing risk, compliance, and infrastructure reliability by combining Zodia’s secure custody platform with Everstake’s high-uptime validator infrastructure. This integration allows clients to stake assets directly from custody without compromising security or governance. The move reflects growing institutional demand for compliant staking solutions in the digital asset space.
about Zodia Custody & Everstake Boost Institutional StakingIOTA & Zodia Custody Bridge TradFi with Blockchain
IOTA’s partnership with Zodia Custody marks a significant step in integrating traditional finance with blockchain technology. The collaboration provides secure, institutional-grade custody solutions for tokenized assets, including Treasury Bills, on the IOTA network. With Zodia’s regulatory-compliant framework, institutions can securely hold, manage, and stake IOTA tokens. The upcoming Rebased IOTA Mainnet launch on May 5 further strengthens this infrastructure, enabling compliant participation in blockchain finance. Additionally, Zodia’s validator operations support white-label staking, allowing institutions to delegate holdings without losing custody. The partnership also paves the way for exchange integrations, expanding IOTA’s liquidity and utility. Amid the announcement, IOTA’s token price has shown notable gains, reflecting market optimism.
about IOTA & Zodia Custody Bridge TradFi with BlockchainWazirX Awaits Court Ruling to Resume Post-$234M Hack
WazirX is gearing up to restart operations after a devastating $234M hack in July 2024, allegedly by the North Korean Lazarus group. The exchange’s future hinges on a Singapore court decision on May 13, 2025, regarding its restructuring plan. To regain trust, WazirX has partnered with institutional custodians Zodia and BitGo for secure asset management and is launching a decentralized exchange (DEX) as part of its recovery strategy. Despite these efforts, legal hurdles remain, as India’s Supreme Court recently dismissed a lawsuit from victims citing unclear crypto regulations. The May 13 ruling will not only determine WazirX’s fate but also signal the resilience of Asia’s crypto industry post-crisis.
about WazirX Awaits Court Ruling to Resume Post-$234M Hack