Standard Chartered secures MiCA and EMI license

Standard Chartered has secured authorization under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation and as an Electronic Money Institution (EMI). This dual regulatory approval represents a pivotal advancement for the bank's Financing & Securities Services division as it expands its digital asset custody capabilities across Europe. By obtaining these licenses, the institution aligns itself with the EU's comprehensive framework for crypto-asset service providers, ensuring legal compliance for its digital asset operations. This development is significant for the RWA market because it provides a regulated institutional bridge for tokenized assets and digital securities within the European Economic Area. As major global banks integrate MiCA-compliant infrastructure, the barrier to entry for institutional participation in tokenized financial instruments is substantially lowered. The move signals a broader trend of traditional financial giants formalizing their digital asset strategies to support the growing demand for regulated custody solutions. Ultimately, this regulatory milestone enhances the credibility and operational security of the European digital asset ecosystem, facilitating the future growth of institutional-grade RWA tokenization.