SC Ventures eyes Abu Dhabi, seeks fintech and digital asset chances.

SC Ventures, the venture capital arm of Standard Chartered, has expanded its operations to Abu Dhabi, UAE. The move comes after the company entered into a joint venture with Japanese firm SBI Holdings in the UAE. SC Ventures aims to promote innovation, invest in disruptive fintech, and explore new business models within the banking sector. The UAE has become a significant hub for crypto investments, with a surge in institutional and professional interest in cryptocurrencies. Gautam Jain, a key member of SC Ventures, will lead the Abu Dhabi office and the company plans to engage with the fintech ecosystem and explore opportunities in digital assets, SMEs, sustainability, and inclusion. SC Ventures’ expansion aligns with the UAE’s goal of developing thousands of SMEs and startups by 2030.