TLDR

OKX and Standard Chartered bring bank-level custody to crypto in Europe.
New custody model separates asset storage from trading for safer investing.
MiCA-backed partnership strengthens trust and compliance in digital assets.
Institutions gain bank-grade security with seamless OKX trading access.
Standard Chartered sets a new bar for regulated crypto custody services.

Crypto exchange OKX and Standard Chartered have expanded their custody partnership into the European Economic Area. The move enhances institutional asset protection by separating asset custody from trading, a model gaining traction post-FTX. The custody partnership aims to align digital asset markets with traditional finance standards and regulatory clarity.

Standard Chartered Strengthens Custody Role in Crypto Markets

Standard Chartered will now offer custody services to OKX clients across Europe. This custody partnership allows clients to store assets securely in the bank while accessing OKX’s trading platform. The model enhances transparency, ensures compliance, and reduces custodial and counterparty risks.

OKX mirrors the clients’ bank-held balances on its exchange to facilitate seamless trading. This setup removes the need for clients to transfer actual assets to a trading platform. Consequently, this structure brings traditional safeguards into digital asset management.

Both firms launched the program in the UAE earlier this year and are now scaling it across the EEA. Their collaboration marks a first between a G-SIB and a crypto exchange in Europe. OKX’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) license supports this model by offering a clear regulatory framework.

Collateral Mirroring Drives Adoption of Safer Trading

Collateral mirroring enables institutional clients to retain bank-grade custody while benefiting from OKX’s trading liquidity. This innovation emerged in response to growing concerns about the storage of exchange-linked assets following high-profile failures. The custody partnership eliminates the need to compromise between access and security.

OKX Europe CEO Erald Ghoos confirmed the firm’s long-term strategy to improve institutional participation through regulated frameworks. MiCA registration allows OKX to offer compliant services across Europe, boosting client confidence. As a result, institutions can allocate digital assets with enhanced clarity and security.

The model reduces friction in trading processes by ensuring compliance, security, and access remain integrated. OKX’s focus on secure trading infrastructure aims to bring digital assets closer to established market standards. This approach aligns with the broader demand for safer digital asset engagement.

Expanding Global Custody Network with Strategic Collaborations

Earlier this year, OKX partnered with Komainu to deliver similar off-exchange custody services. These efforts reflect the platform’s strategy to build a trusted custody network. It follows growing demand for off-exchange solutions after past market instability.

Other exchanges, including Binance, Bitget and Deribit, have launched comparable partnerships to reassure their institutional clients. OKX stands apart by partnering with Standard Chartered, a G-SIB with established global custody capabilities. This reinforces confidence in the custody partnership model as a reliable safeguard.

Standard Chartered’s Global Head of Financing and Securities Services, Margaret Harwood-Jones, highlighted the integration of custody and regulation. This development represents a step toward bridging traditional finance with the evolving crypto ecosystem. It sets a new standard for regulated digital asset custody and trading.

 

The post OKX and Standard Chartered Expand Custody Partnership Across Europe appeared first on CoinCentral.

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Filed under: News - @ October 16, 2025 1:28 pm