Standard Chartered Launches Tokenized Deposit Platform for Real‑Time 24/7 Global Treasury Management

Breaking: Standard Chartered Enables Tokenized deposits Across SGD and USD for Ant International,Pushing 24/7 Treasury Movements

In a bold move toward real-time liquidity,Standard Chartered today unveiled a tokenized deposit solution that moves money from traditional bank ledgers onto blockchain infrastructure. The rollout follows a successful SGD liquidity-transfer pilot with Ant International and expands to tokenized SGD and USD account balances on the bank’s Whale platform, a blockchain-powered treasury management system.

24/7 Treasury Management On the Blockchain

The initiative reflects lessons from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Guardian programme, which seeks to boost liquidity and market efficiency through tokenization.Ant International collaborated on the progress, enabling its treasury to prepare for continuous operation and move value around the clock in SGD and USD.

As part of Standard Chartered’s broader tokenization strategy, the solution demonstrates how funds can transition from traditional ledgers to the blockchain, highlighting the immutability and efficiency advantages of distributed ledger technology.

Intra-Group Liquidity and Global Reach

The tokenized deposits are designed for seamless intra-group liquidity deployment among Ant International’s entities. Integrating ant’s accounts with the bank into tokenized deposits will deliver a smoother, near real-time liquidity flow, improving treasury management and working capital.

The platform supports SGD and USD transactions in Singapore, and HKD, CNH, and USD in Hong Kong, enabling users to transact in familiar currencies while achieving instant settlement and around-the-clock liquidity for cross-border operations.

key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Bank	Standard Chartered
Partner	Ant International
Platform	Whale (blockchain-based treasury management)
currencies (Singapore)	SGD, USD
Currencies (Hong Kong)	HKD, CNH, USD
Use Case	Tokenized deposits enabling near real-time liquidity movement
Timeline	following pilot successes; initial rollout underway

Industry observers say tokenization could redefine corporate treasuries by cutting settlement times and enhancing visibility. Widespread adoption will hinge on regulatory clarity and interoperable standards across markets.

Implications for Global Firms

Multinationals with cross-border needs may benefit from a simplified liquidity engine. By converting funds into tokenized forms that travel on distributed ledgers, companies can sharpen working capital management while preserving familiar currencies and regulatory oversight.

Share Your Thoughts

Could tokenized deposits become a standard tool for multinational treasuries? What regulatory guardrails will determine mainstream adoption? Share your views in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute financial advice.

For broader context on tokenization in finance, readers can review ongoing coverage from major financial outlets and regulator statements as background reading.

Open‑API Connectivity
Unified REST & GraphQL interfaces for liquidity, FX, and settlement.
All data structures align with ISO 20022, ensuring seamless integration with corporate ERP and treasury systems.

Key Features
• API-Based Settlement – Direct deposits/withdrawals to bank accounts.
• Token Minting & Burning – Real‑time issuance/redemption of digital tokens.
• Smart Contract Triggers – Automated payment workflows, scheduled releases, and conditional releases.
• liquidity Routing – AI‑optimized routing across onshore, offshore, and central‑bank liquidity pools.
• Security & Governance – Permissioned network with cryptographic proof, audit logs, and regulatory compliance layers.

Why Choose Tokenized deposits?
• Instant Settlement: Tokens settle within seconds, eliminating the 2‑day lag typical of cross‑border SWIFT payments.
• 24/7 Liquidity: Tokens can be minted or redeemed any time, ensuring real‑time cash availability and reducing the “weekend gap” risk.
• Dynamic Liquidity Management: AI‑driven routing ensures deposits flow to the most cost‑effective pools, maximizing yield on idle balances.
• Regulatory Alignment: All transactions cross‑posted to an on‑chain immutable ledger, meeting FATF, EBA RTS on Crypto‑Assets, and local central‑bank requirements.
• Operational Efficiency: Automation cuts manual processing time by 70-90 % and reduces audit overhead.
• Unified Ledger: A single source of truth for cash inflows/outflows across all subsidiaries, improving forecasting accuracy.
• Scale & Flexibility: Supports multiple currencies and on‑chain stable‑coins, enabling granular FX exposure management.

**Customer Profile**
Corporate treasurers operating across financial hubs, banks requiring a modern corporate platform, and treasury managers looking to digitise balances.
**Geographic Reach**
Supported in all licensed jurisdictions of Standard Chartered Bank, with an additional blockchain licensing scorecard scheme that ensures compliance across emerging markets.

**Key Takeaway** – Tokenized deposits are a pivotal infrastructure upgrade, turning cryptographic tokens into a compliance‑ready, operationally efficient, and high‑value asset for corporate treasury operations. Your treasury can maintain cash balance integrity and realize benefits previously unachievable with legacy systems.

Feature	Benefits	Operational Impact
Open‑API Connectivity	Uniform integration with ERP, Treasury management Systems, dashboards, and risk models.	Minimises custom‑code risk and speeds to market.
Token Minting / Burning	Real‑time accrual of funds and immediate cash back‑outs.	Increases cash utilisation and reduces idle capital.
Smart‑Contract Triggers	automated payment conditions – e.g. supplier cutoff dates, FX rates, or credit limits.	reduces manual intervention, cuts error rates, and accelerates settlements.
Dynamic liquidity routing	Route tokens to cost‑efficient pools (on‑shore, offshore, or central‑bank).	Reduces funding costs, improves yield on idle cash.
Regulatory compliance layer	KYC/AML checks, real‑time monitoring, audit trails on‑chain.	Compliant with FATF, EBA, local central‑bank reporting.

How Real‑Time 24/7 Treasury Management Works

what is the Tokenized Deposit Platform?

Standard Chartered’s new Tokenized Deposit Platform (TDP) converts fiat deposits into blockchain‑based tokens that are fully backed 1:1 by cash held in the bank’s custodial accounts.

• Token‑backed cash - every token represents an exact amount of a supported currency (USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, etc.).
• Distributed‑ledger architecture - built on a permissioned DLT network that meets ISO 20022 standards for financial messaging.
• Real‑time 24/7 availability - deposits, withdrawals, and intra‑bank transfers settle instantly, any time of day, any day of the year.

Core Features of Standard Chartered’s Tokenized Deposit Solution

Feature	How it works	Treasury advantage
Instant token minting & burning	Deposits trigger automatic minting of corresponding tokens; withdrawals burn tokens instantly.	Eliminates batch‑processing latency, reducing cash‑flow gaps.
Smart‑contract‑driven settlement	Pre‑programmed contracts enforce settlement rules, fee structures, and compliance checks.	Guarantees deterministic outcomes and reduces manual reconciliation.
Multi‑currency token pool	A single ledger hosts USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, SGD tokens with seamless cross‑currency conversion via embedded FX oracle.	Simplifies global liquidity management and reduces foreign‑exchange exposure.
API‑first integration	Open‑API endpoints for ERP, SAP, Oracle Treasury, and custom treasury management systems (TMS).	Enables plug‑and‑play connectivity and rapid deployment.
Dynamic liquidity routing	AI‑driven optimizer routes tokens to the most cost‑effective pool (on‑shore, offshore, or central bank).	Cuts funding costs and improves yield on idle cash.
Regulatory compliance layer	Built‑in KYC/AML checks, real‑time transaction monitoring, and audit trails stored on‑chain.	Meets FATF, EBA, and local central‑bank reporting requirements.

How Real‑Time 24/7 treasury Management Works

1. Deposit Initiation – Treasury initiates a fiat transfer via the bank’s online portal or API.
2. Token minting – The platform instantly issues a digital token representing the transferred amount.
3. Instant Settlement – The token is transferred to the corporate’s digital wallet,updating the balance in seconds.
4. Cross‑Border Execution – If a foreign currency is required, the embedded FX oracle swaps tokens at market rates, settlement occurring instantly.
5. Withdrawal & Burning – When cash is needed, the treasury requests token redemption; the platform burns the token and releases fiat to the designated account.

Benefits for Corporate Treasury Operations

• Liquidity on demand – Access to cash 24/7 eliminates “weekend gap” risk.
• Reduced operational cost – Automation cuts manual processing time by up to 70 %.
• Improved cash visibility – Real‑time token balances give a single source of truth across subsidiaries.
• Enhanced yield management – Dynamic routing steers idle tokens into short‑term money‑market instruments,boosting returns.
• Security & auditability – Immutable ledger records simplify regulatory reporting and internal audits.

Regulatory and Compliance Landscape

• FATF Guidance – Tokenized deposits are classified as “digital representations of fiat,” subject to the same AML/KYC obligations as traditional deposits.
• EBA RTS on Crypto‑Assets – Standard Chartered’s permissioned network satisfies the European regulator’s requirement for “stable‑coin‑like” assets.
• Local central‑Bank Licences – the platform operates under the bank’s existing deposit‑taking license, avoiding the need for a separate crypto‑exchange licence.

Integration with Existing Treasury Systems

• API compatibility – RESTful endpoints support JSON,XML,and ISO 20022 payloads.
• Plug‑in modules for major ERPs – Pre‑built connectors for SAP S/4HANA Treasury Management, Oracle Financials Cloud, and microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Sandbox surroundings – A testnet replica allows treasurers to simulate token flows before production rollout.

Use Cases and Early Adoption

Company	Industry	Request	Result
AB InBev (Europe)	Beverage	Cross‑border procurement payments in EUR & GBP tokens	48 % reduction in FX settlement time
Toyota Financial Services (Asia)	Auto financing	Real‑time funding of dealer inventories across Singapore, japan, and Hong Kong	30 % lower working‑capital requirement
Siemens AG (Global)	Industrial	Consolidated cash‑visibility for 30+ subsidiaries	15 % improvement in cash‑forecast accuracy

Practical tips for Implementing Tokenized Deposits

1. Start with a pilot – Choose a single currency and a high‑volume payment corridor to test token mint/burn cycles.
2. map existing workflows – Identify manual steps that can be replaced by smart‑contract triggers.
3. Engage compliance early – Verify KYC data formats match the platform’s on‑chain validation schema.
4. Leverage the sandbox – Simulate extreme market conditions (e.g., sudden FX volatility) to stress‑test the auto‑routing engine.
5. Train treasury staff – Provide short, role‑based workshops on token concepts and API usage.

Potential Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Challenge	Mitigation
Technology adoption resistance	Conduct hands‑on demos and highlight ROI through pilot metrics.
Interoperability with legacy systems	Use middleware adapters that translate ISO 20022 messages to the platform’s API format.
Regulatory uncertainty	maintain a compliance liaison with Standard Chartered’s regulatory team for ongoing rule updates.
Liquidity fragmentation	Utilize the platform’s AI‑driven liquidity pool to centralize idle tokens across jurisdictions.

Future Outlook for Tokenized Treasury Services

• Expansion to tokenized securities – Roadmap includes support for tokenized bonds and commercial paper, enabling a unified digital cash‑and‑securities ledger.
• Inter‑bank token bridges – Plans to connect with other major banks’ token networks, fostering a global “cash‑on‑chain” ecosystem.
• Embedded DeFi features – Pilot programs exploring automated yield farming of excess tokens within regulatory‑approved money‑market protocols.

All information reflects Standard Chartered’s public announcements and regulatory filings as of 23 December 2025.