- Payward and SGB launched 24/7 settlement for institutional digital asset markets.
- The service initially supports USD transactions for select clients.
Payward, the financial infrastructure firm operating behind Kraken, joined forces with Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) to deliver continuous, around-the-clock settlement for institutional digital asset markets, as detailed in an October 5, 2026 announcement.
Through this collaboration, Payward adopted SGB Net—SGB’s real-time, multi-currency clearing network. This integration enables qualifying institutional customers from both organizations to execute instant settlements at any time of day, every day of the week.
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: https://t.co/pFPBOwqtEf— Payward (@Payward) October 5, 2026
At launch, the functionality focuses on U.S. dollar transactions and serves a limited group of institutional participants across approved jurisdictions in the Gulf and Asia. Both firms indicated intentions to roll out the offering to more users and additional currencies moving forward, though they did not provide a specific timeline.
This setup permits an SGB customer to deposit money with Payward and immediately access those funds for trading, even outside regular banking hours. Such capability helps bridge the operational gap between digital asset markets, which run uninterrupted, and standard banking frameworks constrained by traditional operating schedules.
SGB Adds Kraken Prime for Digital Asset Liquidity
As part of the alliance, SGB will leverage Kraken Prime—Payward’s institutional prime brokerage service—as an extra liquidity channel for digital assets. The bank also intends to utilize Payward’s markets to price customer trades in the months ahead.
SGB introduced SGB Net in 2025 to offer real-time clearing for companies working in the digital asset space, reporting that the network currently handles over $20 billion in fiat transactions monthly. The financial institution receives backing from Whampoa Group, based in Singapore, and Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund.
Regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, SGB holds a proper banking license and offers digital asset capabilities, international payments, and multi-currency accounts to qualified individual and corporate clients.
For Payward, this alliance ties into the wider Payward Banking framework, which handles cash transfers encompassing custody, payments, deposits, cards, and lending. Furthermore, Payward has broadened its banking network recently, which includes a September agreement with SoFi aimed at 24/7 U.S. dollar settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the partnership between Payward and Singapore Gulf Bank?
Payward and Singapore Gulf Bank (SGB) partnered to introduce 24/7 settlement for institutional digital asset markets by integrating SGB’s real-time, multi-currency clearing network, SGB Net.
Which currencies and users are supported initially?
The initial rollout supports U.S. dollar transactions for a select group of institutional clients located in approved jurisdictions throughout Asia and the Gulf region.
How does SGB plan to use Kraken Prime?
SGB will use Kraken Prime—Payward’s institutional prime brokerage platform—as an additional source of digital asset liquidity and will draw on Payward’s markets to price trades for customers in the coming months.
Who backs and regulates Singapore Gulf Bank?
SGB is licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain. It is backed by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, Mumtalakat, and the Singapore-based Whampoa Group.
