According to ChainCatcher, citing Bloomberg, SC Ventures, the venture capital arm of Standard Chartered Plc, is planning to raise funds for a $250 million fund focused on investing in digital assets within the financial services sector.
Gautam Jain, an operating partner at SC Ventures, stated on Monday during the inaugural Money 20/20 fintech event in Riyadh that the fund is planned to launch next year, will be supported by some investors from the Middle East, and will target global investments. Jain said the division also plans to launch a $100 million Africa investment fund and is considering launching its first venture debt fund, but did not specify whether these funds would also focus on digital assets or fintech.
Jain also mentioned that this year the division is increasing its investment in the Middle East, having launched operations in Saudi Arabia in January. Its strategy is to build a team focused on the Saudi market and to launch a domestic fund in 2026, focusing on minority equity investments in enterprises and new business development.