Coinbase announced a new collaboration with Citigroup to develop blockchain-powered payment infrastructure, designed to make it easier for institutions to move value using digital assets and stablecoins.
The partnership combines Coinbase’s digital asset infrastructure with Citi’s global payments network, which spans 94 markets and over 300 clearing systems. The two firms plan to enhance institutional on-ramps, off-ramps, and settlement tools, key components for converting between fiat and crypto in real-time.
According to the joint statement, the initiative will focus on creating faster, more reliable transaction systems available 24/7, positioning digital assets as an integrated layer of the traditional financial system.
Citi’s existing Citi Token Services and 24/7 USD Clearing will play a central role in bridging conventional finance with blockchain-native operations.
Both companies emphasized that the collaboration aligns with their shared goal of scaling digital asset adoption responsibly and securely.
Coinbase noted that it continues to expand its partnerships with banks, asset managers, and payment providers to advance institutional use cases for blockchain-based transactions.
Bridging banking and AI with blockchain payments
The announcement follows Coinbase’s recent launch of Payments MCP, a protocol enabling AI systems to autonomously send and receive stablecoins. The technology allows AI agents to open wallets, execute payments, and interact with digital money via natural language commands.
The overlap between these developments shows Coinbase is developing infrastructure that supports both human and automated payment systems.
While the Citi partnership targets institutional finance, the Payments MCP project extends that vision to AI-driven commerce, enabling money to move autonomously across networks.
Together, these moves show Coinbase’s aim to link banks, AI systems, and payment networks through blockchain infrastructure.
Also read: Citi to Launch Institutional Crypto Custody Platform in 2026
