Payward, the parent company of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken, has partnered with Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) to provide round-the-clock settlement for institutional digital asset markets. The service initially supports U.S. dollar transactions for selected clients across Asia and the Gulf region. The partnership pairs Payward's institutional infrastructure with SGB's real-time clearing network.

Under the arrangement, Payward has integrated SGB Net, Singapore Gulf Bank's real-time, multi-currency clearing network. The integration allows eligible institutional clients to settle qualifying transactions instantly, including outside traditional banking hours. According to the announcement, the network currently processes more than $20 billion in fiat transactions each month.

SGB Net Integration Brings Instant, Around-the-Clock Settlement

The initial rollout covers U.S. dollar transactions for a limited group of clients in supported jurisdictions. Payward and SGB plan to expand access and introduce additional currencies over time.

The partnership addresses a longstanding gap between digital asset markets and traditional banking infrastructure. Crypto markets operate continuously, while conventional settlement systems often depend on business hours and daily cut-off times. Through SGB Net, eligible SGB clients can deposit funds with Payward and make those funds available for digital asset activity without waiting for the next banking day. The setup gives institutions greater flexibility when managing capital across markets.

Singapore Gulf Bank launched SGB Net in 2025 to support businesses operating across both traditional and digital financial markets. According to the companies, the network now handles more than $20 billion in fiat transactions monthly.

Payward publicized the integration in a post on X on October 5:

Markets run 24/7. Settlement should too. Payward has integrated SGB Net from @SGB_app, a real-time clearing network, so institutional clients can settle instantly, 24/7.

Read the full announcement:

— Payward (@Payward) October 5, 2026

Kraken Prime to Supply Additional Digital Asset Liquidity

The partnership also connects Singapore Gulf Bank with Kraken Prime, Payward's institutional prime brokerage platform. SGB will use Kraken Prime as an additional source of digital asset liquidity for its customers. Over the coming months, the bank plans to draw on Payward's markets when pricing digital asset trades for its clients. As a result, the arrangement links fiat settlement and digital asset liquidity through the same partnership.

SGB Chief Executive Officer Shawn Chan said access to liquidity becomes more useful when clients can move funds when required. The partnership consequently aims to bring settlement and liquidity closer together for institutional customers.

SGB is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain and provides corporate and personal banking services across markets. Its offerings include multi-currency accounts, international payments, remote account opening, and digital asset services. The bank is backed by Bahrain's sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, and Singapore-based Whampoa Group. It has increasingly developed infrastructure that connects traditional banking services with digital asset markets.

Payward's Broader Banking Infrastructure Push

The SGB agreement forms part of Payward's broader effort to strengthen the banking infrastructure supporting its digital asset ecosystem. Through Payward Banking, the company covers services including deposits, payments, cards, custody, and lending.

The partnership also follows Payward's wider push to establish always-on settlement connections. In September, the company partnered with SoFi to provide 24/7 U.S. dollar settlement through SoFi's payment infrastructure. That collaboration likewise targets continuous dollar settlement outside standard banking hours.

Together, these developments reflect growing demand for banking systems that operate at the same speed as digital asset markets. Institutional investors increasingly require faster movement between traditional currencies and blockchain-based assets. For Payward, regulated banking partnerships can extend its institutional infrastructure across additional markets. For SGB, the relationship provides access to Payward's digital asset liquidity and institutional market infrastructure.

The initial SGB arrangement remains limited to selected clients and U.S. dollar transactions. However, expansion into additional currencies and broader institutional access could increase the partnership's role in cross-border digital asset settlement. Both firms plan to broaden the service to more currencies and a wider set of institutions over time.

Source: Live Bitcoin News