Key Takeaways:
Zodia Custody added BitMEX to its Interchange network in Q1 2026 to secure institutional trading. The move reduces 100% of counterparty risk by keeping assets in cold storage during exchange trading. Standard Chartered plans to merge Zodia into its internal digital asset arm later in 2026. Mitigating Counterparty Risk Through Asset Mirroring“In successfully launching BitMEX on the Interchange network, our clients gain direct access to a leading derivatives exchange without compromising custody of their assets,” said Wing Cheah, head of interchange product at Zodia Custody. Cheah noted that the partnership provides professional traders with “peace of mind that their assets remain safely in cold storage until settlement.”
Mark Collins, head of custody for BitMEX, said the partnership reinforces the exchange’s commitment to the security and transparency required by professional global clients.
Strategic consolidation at Standard CharteredThe BitMEX integration comes at a pivotal moment for Zodia Custody. Reports indicate that its majority shareholder, Standard Chartered, is planning a major structural shift to merge Zodia Custody with the bank’s internal digital asset division.
While Zodia Custody — which also counts SBI Holdings and National Australia Bank as investors — operates as a standalone entity, the internal merger suggests a deeper integration of digital asset infrastructure into traditional banking workflows. It is anticipated that Zodia will continue to offer its software-as-a-service (SaaS) custody solutions to external clients even as it becomes more central to Standard Chartered’s core digital strategy.
