Citi and Coinbase announced a collaboration to develop digital asset payment solutions for institutional clients. The companies’ announcement, dated October 27, 2025, outlines plans to simplify conversions between traditional currencies and digital assets and explore stablecoin payment options.
The initial phase focuses on fiat deposits and withdrawals, alongside payment orchestration. By combining Citi’s international payments network with Coinbase’s digital asset infrastructure, the companies aim to offer institutional clients a smoother transaction experience.
Easier Access to Crypto for Citi’s Institutional Clients
The project centers on channels that allow users to convert money held within the traditional financial system into digital assets. Known as “on-ramps,” these channels give clients access to the digital asset ecosystem using traditional currencies.
“Off-ramps” work in the opposite direction. Institutions can use this infrastructure to convert their digital assets back into traditional currencies.
Citi and Coinbase plan to simplify these conversions in both directions. Coordinating payment processes also ranks among the collaboration’s initial priorities.
According to Citi’s announcement, the companies will also explore alternative methods for converting traditional currencies into stablecoin payouts on blockchains. The bank aims to make these transitions smoother and accessible around the clock.
Stablecoin Payments and Treasury Management in Focus
In its announcement, Coinbase highlights institutions’ ability to transfer value through blockchains. The company says conversions between traditional money and digital assets play an important role in payments, treasury management, and the efficiency of financial infrastructure.
The collaboration therefore covers payment solutions involving stablecoins, alongside other infrastructure initiatives. The companies aim to develop tools that allow institutions to incorporate digital assets into their existing financial processes.
Coinbase says it is exploring options with Citi to make these tools faster, more reliable, and available 24/7. The announcement thus outlines the direction of the payment infrastructure the companies intend to develop for institutional use.
Citi’s Global Network Meets Coinbase’s Infrastructure
According to Coinbase’s announcement, Citi’s payments network spans 94 markets and more than 300 payment clearing systems. The collaboration aims to combine this international reach with Coinbase’s technology and infrastructure expertise in digital assets.
The companies are working on payment solutions for institutions operating at scale. Coinbase also says its work with banks, asset managers, and payment service providers aims to expand the use of digital assets across the financial system.
The Announcement Does Not Mean All Services Are Live
The October 27, 2025 announcement outlines the collaboration’s initial scope and the areas the companies intend to explore. Citi said it would share details of specific initiatives in the following months, while noting that the work remained subject to further exploration and relevant regulatory considerations.
The announcement therefore does not establish that stablecoin payment services have become available to all Citi clients. Its focus is on developing digital asset payment capabilities for institutional customers.
