Standard Chartered’s SC Ventures is preparing to raise $250 million for a digital asset investment fund set to launch in 2026.
The initiative reflects growing institutional interest in digital asset exposure, with the fund expected to be backed by investors from the Middle East and focused on global opportunities, according to operating partner Gautam Jain.
Institutional moves into digital assets
The move comes as more corporate treasury firms implement long-term accumulation strategies for digital assets, fueling speculation that institutional inflows into the sector will grow.
The fund’s precise asset allocation, including whether it will hold bitcoin or other digital assets, has not been disclosed.
Additional funds targeting Africa
SC Ventures also plans to introduce a separate $100 million fund for African investments and is considering its first venture debt fund.
It remains unclear if these additional funds will include digital assets or focus more broadly on financial technology.
mNAV concerns and sector outlook
Recently, Standard Chartered raised alarms over the declining market net asset value (mNAV) of digital asset treasury (DAT) firms—a metric comparing enterprise value to digital asset holdings.
The bank warned that many high-profile treasury firms have dropped below the critical 1 mNAV threshold, making it harder to issue new shares and accumulate assets. Standard Chartered stated:
“The recent collapse in DAT mNAVs will likely drive differentiation and market consolidation. Differentiation will favour the largest in breed, cheapest funders and those with staking yield.”
