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Standard Chartered has launched a tokenized deposit solution that lets corporate clients move cash from bank ledgers onto blockchain for real-time treasury operations. Ant International is the first client, with live SGD and USD balances integrated into its Whale treasury platform. The bank positions the rollout as a blueprint for commercial banks seeking 24/7 liquidity and instant intra-group transfers across regions.
Blockhead’s report says the deployment followed an SGD pilot and now supports continuous settlement on Ant’s Whale system, reducing delays tied to business-day cutoffs. The bank framed the model as a way to shift funds between traditional accounts and on-chain balances without breaking compliance. The article also links the work to Singapore’s Project Guardian learnings. It detail launch, noting Ant as the inaugural adopter.
Standard Chartered Hong Kong added that it has tokenized HKD, CNH and USD accounts for Ant on Whale, following earlier test settlements. “Demand for real-time and 24/7 treasury management is rapidly accelerating,” said Mahesh Kini, Global Head of Cash Management at Standard Chartered. The bank’s update confirm tokenization and cites efficiency gains from near-instant internal transfers.
Tokenized deposits are issued by licensed banks and recorded on distributed ledgers, so treasurers can automate sweeps and settlement while keeping familiar bank relationships. For global groups like Ant, Whale’s 24/7 rails aim to cut cut-off constraints and reconcile flows in seconds instead of hours. The bank says the architecture maintains links to conventional accounts, so liquidity can move on- and off-chain under normal controls.
The launch also reflects Singapore’s wider push to commercialize asset tokenization. Under Project Guardian, the Monetary Authority of Singapore has guided pilots for tokenized funds, deposits, and FX with industry participants. MAS has set frameworks for open, interoperable infrastructure so banks can bring regulated products on-chain with clarity on governance and risk.
In Hong Kong, related work has progressed through HKMA’s Ensemble initiatives and supervisory sandboxes, where banks and corporates test tokenized payments and deposits. Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong unit says the Ant deployment marks “another milestone” in its tokenization journey, and expects the model to attract more multinational clients seeking faster sweeps and fewer reconciliation headaches.
“By combining Standard Chartered’s banking capabilities with Ant International’s tokenization and global payments expertise, the new solution enhances our liquidity management,” said Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International. He added that the system gives the group seamless access to working capital across global operations through Whale’s interface.
If scaled, tokenized deposits could link directly with tokenized funds and receivables, creating a single workflow for cash, investments, and payables. For real-estate sponsors and property managers, the same rails could support rent flows, escrow, and on-chain distributions under bank-grade controls—bringing everyday treasury tasks into programmable finance while retaining the trust of the traditional banking stack.
