Coinbase and Standard Chartered Forge Deeper Alliance to Build Institutional-Grade Crypto Infrastructure

In a significant move to bridge traditional finance with the digital asset ecosystem, Coinbase, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, and Standard Chartered, a global banking giant, have announced an expanded partnership aimed at constructing a comprehensive, regulated infrastructure for institutional clients. This collaboration, building upon previous successful initiatives, is set to focus on core services including trading, custody, staking, and lending, with a paramount emphasis on security, regulatory compliance, and settlement efficiency. The initiative strategically leverages Standard Chartered's extensive global banking network and connectivity, which has already been piloted and proven in key financial hubs like Singapore. There, the bank has been instrumental in facilitating real-time, seamless transactions for digital assets. This deepened alliance represents a major step in maturing the cryptocurrency market infrastructure, directly addressing the growing demand from hedge funds, asset managers, and corporations for secure, compliant, and efficient avenues to engage with digital assets. By combining Coinbase's technological expertise and crypto-native platform with Standard Chartered's century-old banking credibility and regulatory framework, the partnership aims to lower the entry barrier and operational risks for large-scale institutional capital seeking exposure to cryptocurrencies. The timing of this expansion, as of late 2025, underscores the accelerating institutional adoption of digital assets and the critical need for robust financial plumbing that meets the highest standards of the traditional financial world. This development is widely viewed as a bullish signal for the sector's legitimacy and long-term growth trajectory, potentially paving the way for more integrated and sophisticated financial products bridging fiat and crypto economies.

Coinbase and Standard Chartered Expand Institutional Crypto Infrastructure

Coinbase and Standard Chartered are deepening their collaboration to build regulated crypto infrastructure tailored for institutional clients. The partnership focuses on trading, custody, staking, and lending services, emphasizing security, compliance, and settlement efficiency.

The initiative leverages Standard Chartered's banking connectivity, previously tested in Singapore, where the bank facilitates real-time SGD transfers for Coinbase customers. This model will now scale to support institutional prime services, including trade execution and financing—all within regulated frameworks.

No timeline or budget was disclosed, but the MOVE signals growing institutional demand for crypto access. Standard Chartered, with $913 billion in assets, aims to broaden its digital asset offerings through the alliance.

Coinbase Adds Lighter to Listing Roadmap, Signals Potential Future Trading

Coinbase has added the $LIGHTER token to its asset listing roadmap, a preliminary step that often precedes formal exchange support. The move signals growing institutional interest in niche crypto projects amid a broader market resurgence.

The exchange emphasized that inclusion on the roadmap doesn't guarantee immediate trading. $LIGHTER must still clear final technical evaluations and establish market-making partnerships to ensure liquidity. Coinbase will announce any trading launch through official channels, warning users against premature token transfers that could result in permanent loss.

This development reflects Coinbase's stringent listing protocol, which evaluates assets for regulatory compliance, technical robustness, and security standards. The token's focus on transparent trading infrastructure appears aligned with the exchange's operational philosophy.