Julian Sawyer steps down as CEO of Zodia Custody, transitions to adviser role

Julian Sawyer is stepping down as CEO of London-based institutional digital-asset custodian Zodia Custody, transitioning to a strategic-adviser role. The leadership change, announced in a September 10, 2026 internal memo, comes as Standard Chartered's pending acquisition of Zodia Custody's custody business faces regulatory delays, missing its expected late-August 2026 closing timeline. Richard Clark will lead the transition, while Craig Perrin and Anoosh Arevshatian will head the newly formed Zodia Solutions infrastructure platform.

Julian Sawyer CEO departure

• ▪Julian Sawyer is stepping down as CEO of institutional digital-asset custodian Zodia Custody and transitioning into a strategic-adviser role, according to an internal memo sent on September 10, 2026.
• ▪Julian Sawyer stated in a September 10, 2026 memo that the pending acquisition of Zodia Custody by Standard Chartered created a natural point to hand over day-to-day leadership.

Zodia Custody leadership restructuring

• ▪Zodia Custody executives Craig Perrin and Anoosh Arevshatian will lead the development of Zodia Solutions following the restructuring of Zodia Custody.
• ▪Richard Clark, the chief revenue officer of Zodia Custody, will lead the business through its transition into Standard Chartered and take responsibility for the custody operation.

Standard Chartered acquisition status

• ▪Standard Chartered announced in May 2026 a proposed transaction to acquire Zodia Custody's custody business and absorb its regulated custody activities into the bank's Financing and Securities Services division.
• ▪The acquisition of Zodia Custody's custody business by Standard Chartered was expected to close by the end of August 2026, but the deadline passed without public confirmation of closure.

Zodia Solutions infrastructure platform

• ▪The transition of Julian Sawyer to an adviser role represents a change from May 2026 plans, which slated Julian Sawyer to become the CEO of Zodia Solutions.
• ▪Zodia Solutions is being established as a separate infrastructure platform under SC Ventures to provide financial institutions with technology and professional services for digital-asset operations.

Regulatory approval delays

• ▪Standard Chartered's acquisition of Zodia Custody's custody business remains pending regulatory approvals after missing its expected late-August 2026 closing timeline.
• ▪A Zodia Custody spokesperson stated that the closure of the acquisition by Standard Chartered remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Debatable claims

• ▪Traditional banks should absorb regulated crypto custodians
• ▪Regulators should closely scrutinize traditional banks acquiring crypto firms