Hana Financial Group announced on the 15th that it has signed a business agreement with Standard Chartered Group (SC Group) in the UK for cooperation in global financial business and digital assets according to local reports.
The agreement, finalized at a ceremony in Seoul on March 13, reflects a growing trend among traditional banks to integrate blockchain-based finance and digital assets into mainstream operations.
Expanding Global Finance and Digital Asset Collaboration
With this agreement, the two companies decided to strengthen cooperation in various global financial fields such as investment banking, capital markets, and foreign exchange, while also exploring future opportunities in digital assets.
Ham Young-joo, chairman of Hana Financial Group, said,
“The partnership of the extensive global network and various financial know-how owned by Hana Financial Group and Standard Chartered Group will be a strong competitiveness in the global financial field. We will create new growth opportunities through synergy in the future financial field including digital assets.”
While the MOU does not yet outline specific products or services, it signals a broader push by major financial institutions to explore regulated digital finance offerings, including stablecoins, custody solutions, and other digital asset services.
This move aligns with Asia’s trend toward integrating digital assets into traditional financial infrastructure as regulators and banks prepare for clearer frameworks and wider adoption.
Bill Winters, chairman of SC Group, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, noting that South Korea is a core hub of the Asian financial market, and cooperation with Hana Financial Group, which is strong in the global market, will be an important milestone in the global network business.
The two groups said they will continue discussions throughout 2026 to develop concrete initiatives, charting a roadmap for integrating digital asset capabilities with conventional banking services across domestic and global markets.
Regional Moves Reinforce Digital Finance Expansion
The agreement also comes as Standard Chartered deepens its involvement in Asia’s evolving digital finance landscape.
In Hong Kong, the bank has taken part in initiatives tied to the city’s upcoming stablecoin licensing framework led by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, which plans to issue a limited number of licences as part of a controlled rollout of regulated digital currency infrastructure.
Elsewhere in the region, financial services firms continue to strengthen their presence as digital and cross-border financial activity expands.
Apex Group recently opened a new office in Jakarta, a move aimed at improving local client support and expanding its Southeast Asia footprint as demand grows for institutional financial and investment services across the region.
