Standard Chartered collaborates with OKX and BlackRock to expand institutional use of tokenized treasury assets

credit: Standard Chartered Bank

(IN BRIEF) Standard Chartered, OKX, and BlackRock have launched a joint framework to expand the use of tokenized real-world assets by integrating BlackRock’s BUIDL tokenized U.S. Treasury fund into collateral workflows. The initiative allows institutional clients to use BUIDL as yield-bearing collateral while keeping assets in regulated custody with Standard Chartered, eliminating the need to move assets between trading venues. This marks the first use of a globally systemically important bank as custodian in an off-exchange tokenized collateral framework. The model improves capital efficiency, enhances security through asset segregation, and bridges traditional finance with digital asset markets. The collaboration demonstrates how tokenized assets can be scaled within institutional trading environments, supporting broader adoption and integration into global financial infrastructure.

(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, 28-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Standard Chartered has joined forces with OKX and BlackRock to introduce a new framework aimed at expanding the use of tokenized real-world assets (RWAs) within institutional trading environments.

At the center of the initiative is BlackRock’s tokenized short-term U.S. Treasury fund, BUIDL, which will be integrated into collateral workflows. Under the framework, institutional clients can use BUIDL as yield-bearing collateral while maintaining assets in regulated, off-exchange custody provided by Standard Chartered. This setup allows trading activity to continue seamlessly on OKX without requiring asset transfers between platforms.

The collaboration marks the first time a globally systemically important bank (G-SIB) has acted as custodian within an off-exchange tokenized collateral structure, combining traditional financial safeguards with digital asset infrastructure. The framework creates a unified system where custody and trading functions are coordinated, supporting greater efficiency and security for institutional participants.

Through this model, clients can convert collateral into income-generating assets, enhancing capital efficiency by putting previously idle margin to work. In addition, the framework positions BUIDL as a universal collateral option across the platform, expanding the practical applications of tokenized assets in financial markets.

Security and risk management are central to the structure. By holding collateral with Standard Chartered, client assets remain segregated from the exchange, providing an additional layer of protection while preserving trading flexibility. This approach addresses key institutional requirements around custody, compliance, and risk mitigation.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to bridge traditional finance and digital markets by embedding tokenization into existing financial infrastructure. BUIDL, issued on a public blockchain and backed by assets such as cash, U.S. Treasury bills, and repurchase agreements, enables investors to earn yields directly on-chain while maintaining exposure to low-risk instruments.

Following extensive testing and integration, the framework demonstrates how tokenized real-world assets can be deployed at scale within institutional trading, margining, and liquidity management processes. By combining the strengths of a major asset manager, a global bank, and a digital asset platform, the collaboration signals a step forward in the evolution of capital markets toward more integrated and efficient systems.

For further information, please contact:

Media@okx.com
OKX

Khaled Abdulla(Opens in a new window)
Standard Chartered Bank

About OKX

OKX is a fintech company on a mission to modernize money and markets. Today it is trusted by more than 100 million people around the world who use OKX services to invest, transact and trade digital assets across a number of financial instruments including spot, futures, and decentralised markets. As one of the world’s largest platforms, OKX is known for its exchange, wallet, and onchain ecosystem used by everyday people and large institutions.

OKX maintains regional offices in the United States, Europe, UAE and Singapore with a number of local offices across São Paulo, Hong Kong, the Republic of Türkiye, and Australia. Over the past several years, it has built one of the world’s most comprehensive regulatory compliant, licensed fintech companies.

OKX is steadfastly committed to transparency and security and publishes Proof of Reserves reports on a monthly basis to ensure customer funds are always protected and available to people. To learn more about OKX, download the app or visit: okx.com.

About OKX Institutional

OKX Institutional(Opens in a new window) delivers secure digital asset market infrastructure for institutional market participants. We offer highly liquid spot and derivative markets through global offshore and regional onshore regulated exchange orderbooks and OTC RFQ, plus critical institutional services across the trade lifecycle.

From banks integrating crypto products to asset managers exploring allocation and trading firms scaling derivative strategies—we provide the compliant, flexible foundation institutions need to compete in digital asset markets.

About BlackRock

BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate(Opens in a new window).

Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

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SOURCE: Standard Chartered