Protocols & Policy · Tokenization
Standard Chartered's Libeara agrees to buy Zodia Markets' Jersey trading arm
The Standard Chartered-backed tokenization firm is buying a Jersey-regulated crypto trading business from Zodia Markets. Once the deal completes, the unit will carry Libeara's name.
Libeara, a Singapore firm that turns regulated assets such as fund shares into blockchain tokens, has agreed to buy Zodia Markets (Jersey) Limited. The deal would give it a regulated trading arm in Jersey [1], a British Crown dependency. Tokenization means issuing a traditional asset as a digital token on a blockchain.
Libeara announced the definitive agreement on Oct. 23. The company being bought is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission for investment business, Class A (dealing in investments), and is supervised as a virtual asset service provider, a crypto business overseen by the regulator [1]. Terms were not disclosed, and the deal still needs regulatory approval [1]. After completion, the unit will be renamed Libeara (Jersey) Limited.
"This acquisition will allow Libeara to offer streamlined execution for digital-native international investors, who want access to a broad range of tokenised assets," said Aaron Gwak, Libeara's founder and CEO [1].
Nick Philpott, interim CEO of Zodia Markets, called it "the natural evolution of our institutional digital asset strategy." He said Libeara "is well positioned to build on that footprint" [1].
Both sides of the deal trace back to the same bank. Libeara is backed by SC Ventures, Standard Chartered's innovation arm. Zodia Markets is backed by Standard Chartered and OSL Group, the release says [1]. Libeara says its group also holds a Capital Markets Services Licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore [1].
The deal follows Standard Chartered's Oct. 21 agreements to take full ownership of Zodia Custody, a separate Zodia company [2].
The release does not name which regulators must sign off or say when the deal is expected to close.
Sources
- Libeara, "Libeara to Acquire Zodia Markets (Jersey) Limited from Zodia Markets," press release, Oct. 23, 2026, https://libeara.com/libeara-to-acquire-zodia-markets-jersey-limited-from-zodia-markets/, accessed Oct. 23, 2026, 9:29 a.m. ET.
- Standard Chartered, "Standard Chartered signs definitive agreements to acquire Zodia Custody," press release, Oct. 21, 2026, 7:24 a.m. ET, https://www.sc.com/en/press-release/t/.
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