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Standard Chartered has taken another step toward modernizing corporate banking by launching a tokenized deposit solution that brings traditional bank balances onto blockchain infrastructure. Designed for real-time treasury operations, the new offering allows clients to manage liquidity continuously rather than being restricted by conventional banking hours.
Ant International is the first company to adopt the solution, marking the move from pilot testing to live commercial use.
1. From Traditional Ledgers to Blockchain Rails
The newly launched solution enables corporate clients to transfer funds from standard bank accounts to blockchain-based tokenized balances.
Key highlights:
- Tokenized deposits are available in Singapore dollar (SGD) and U.S. dollar (USD)
- Funds remain fully backed by bank deposits held with Standard Chartered
- Blockchain infrastructure allows balances to be accessed and managed in real time
This setup preserves the familiarity of traditional banking while adding the speed and flexibility of distributed ledger technology.
2. Ant International as the First Live User
Ant International now manages tokenized SGD and USD balances through its Whale platform, a blockchain-powered global treasury management system that operates 24/7.
By adopting tokenized deposits:
- Treasury operations shift from batch-based processing to continuous settlement
- Liquidity can be moved instantly across entities without waiting for business-day cutoffs
- Working capital becomes accessible at all times, improving operational efficiency
This approach is particularly valuable for global firms managing funds across multiple regions.
3. Enabling Real-Time Treasury Management
Standard Chartered emphasized that the solution responds to growing corporate demand for always-on liquidity and just-in-time cash management.
According to the bank:
- Distributed ledger technology offers faster settlement than traditional correspondent banking
- Immutable transaction records improve operational reliability
- Real-time fund movement supports more responsive treasury decision-making
The deployment is positioned as a practical model for how banks can bridge conventional finance with blockchain infrastructure.
4. Regional Expansion and Future Capabilities
The current rollout supports SGD and USD transactions in Singapore, with plans to extend functionality.
Upcoming capabilities include:
- Support for HKD, CNH, and USD transactions in Hong Kong
- Broader regional access across Asia
- Integration with additional blockchain-enabled treasury tools
This expansion aligns with growing interest in digital finance solutions across major Asian financial hubs.
5. Built on Project Guardian Foundations
The initiative builds on insights from Project Guardian, led by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, which focuses on testing tokenized assets to improve market efficiency and liquidity.
Both Standard Chartered and Ant International have been active participants in the project, using its findings to transition from experimental pilots to real-world banking applications.
Conclusion
Standard Chartered’s launch of tokenized deposits represents a meaningful shift from blockchain experimentation to commercial deployment in transaction banking. By enabling real-time, 24/7 treasury operations while maintaining ties to traditional bank accounts, the solution offers corporates a more flexible way to manage global liquidity. As adoption grows, tokenized deposits could become a key building block in the future of digital cash management and institutional blockchain use.
This article reflects the opinions of the publisher based on available information at the time of writing. It is not intended to provide financial advice, and it does not necessarily represent the views of the news site or its affiliates. Readers are encouraged to conduct further research or consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
