Aquanow, SGB partner to bridge fiat and digital assets globally

By Vriti Gothi

Aquanow has partnered with SGB, a fully licensed digital bank regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), to deliver enhanced fiat banking access for institutional and enterprise participants in the digital asset economy.

This collaboration brings together SGB’s secure, regulated banking capabilities and real-time settlement network with Aquanow’s comprehensive suite of digital asset services, creating a trusted, end-to-end bridge between traditional finance and the digital asset ecosystem.

Backed by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat and Singapore’s Whampoa Group, SGB holds the distinction of being the only bank in the MENA region authorised to digitally onboard clients from across the globe. Leveraging its full SWIFT membership and regulatory credentials, SGB enables seamless multi-currency transactions, offering settlement capabilities in USD, AED, SAR, BHD, SGD, EUR, HKD, and CNH.

Through this partnership, Aquanow’s international client base – including exchanges, payment processors, OTC desks, neobanks, and FinTech innovators will gain access to SGB’s fiat banking services, enabling them to open USD accounts, settle trades efficiently, and move funds around the clock.

In addition, the integration of Aquanow’s global digital asset infrastructure with SGB’s regulated banking platform, including its proprietary real-time settlement system SGB Net, will facilitate frictionless on- and off-ramping between cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies. This synergy is designed to enhance liquidity, streamline cross-border settlements, and expand market opportunities for institutional participants.

By aligning digital asset innovation with secure, Shariah-compliant banking infrastructure, Aquanow and SGB are reinforcing the foundations of a more inclusive, future-ready financial ecosystem one where traditional and digital finance operate seamlessly in tandem.