Singapore Gulf Bank has partnered with Standard Chartered to strengthen cross-border payment and settlement services for the digital asset industry, as competition for regulated stablecoin infrastructure continues to grow across Asia and the Middle East.
SGB has partnered with @StanChartUAE to strengthen cross-border capabilities, making it easier to move capital globally.
Stronger multi-currency capabilities across emerging markets. More reliable global payments. Faster settlement with fewer delays.
Read the full press… pic.twitter.com/TykXNzUghs
— Singapore Gulf Bank (@SGB_app) May 12, 2026
Making crypto payments faster and easier
The agreement will allow the Bahrain-licensed bank to access Standard Chartered’s global correspondent banking and clearing network, improving transaction speed and reducing payment delays for businesses operating in high-growth crypto markets.
Singapore Gulf Bank said the partnership is designed to address settlement inefficiencies still affecting firms handling digital assets and stablecoin transactions across multiple jurisdictions.
Chief Executive Officer Shawn Chan said businesses in emerging markets often face slow settlement times due to multiple banking intermediaries, adding that the collaboration would help simplify payment flows in the digital asset economy.
Standard Chartered’s regional Head of Banks, Brokers and Dealers for the Middle East and Pakistan, Karine Zakhour, said payment activity across fast-growing corridors has accelerated significantly as financial infrastructure adapts to real-time settlement demand.
Focus on faster stablecoin settlements
The partnership comes as Singapore Gulf Bank continues expanding its regulated stablecoin services. Earlier this year, the bank launched a platform allowing institutional clients to mint, trade, convert, and hold stablecoins, including USD Coin and Tether, across blockchain networks such as Ethereum, Solana, and Arbitrum.
The bank also introduced 24/7 payment capabilities through SGB Net, its proprietary real-time settlement platform designed for digital asset companies. According to the bank, the platform is already processing more than $2 billion in monthly fiat transaction volume.
Back in November, Singapore Gulf Bank partnered with Fireblocks to build secure wallet infrastructure for digital asset custody and treasury operations. The bank stated that integration would enable crypto treasury, on/off-ramps, and stablecoin payments under Bahrain’s regulatory framework.
Asia pushes ahead with stablecoin regulation
The deal reflects a broader move around regulated stablecoin infrastructure across Asia, where financial institutions and regulators are moving to establish clearer oversight for digital asset settlements.
In April, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority issued its first stablecoin issuer licenses to HSBC and Anchorpoint Financial, a venture backed by Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecommunications.
Under Hong Kong’s stablecoin framework, licensed issuers must maintain reserve backing, redemption guarantees, governance controls, and anti-money laundering compliance standards as regulators tighten oversight of the sector.
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