Citi and Coinbase Join Forces to Boost Digital Asset Payment Capabilities for Global Clients (Citi)

Citi and Coinbase will collaborate to enhance digital asset payment capabilities for Citi’s institutional global clients, starting with a focus on streamlining fiat pay-ins and pay-outs, and optimizing payment orchestration as a bridge between traditional finance and digital asset ecosystems. The initiative aims to simplify and expand access to 24/7 digital asset payments, with plans to explore new fiat-to-stablecoin payout methods. [Source: Citi]

OpenAI and PayPal Team Up to Power Instant Checkout and Agentic Commerce in ChatGPT (PayPal)

OpenAI and PayPal will collaborate to implement the Agentic Commerce Protocol (ACP) to enable direct payments and commerce within ChatGPT. This will allow ChatGPT users to make instant purchases from PayPal’s global network of merchants, using PayPal’s wallet, payment options, and protections. Merchants who use PayPal will be able to make their product catalogs available on ChatGPT through PayPal’s ACP server, eliminating the need for individual integrations. The arrangement also extends PayPal’s use of OpenAI’s technology across its business operations, including employee access to ChatGPT Enterprise and integration with development tools. The rollout of these integrated commerce and payment features is scheduled to begin in 2026. [Source: PayPal]

Upcoming Speaking Engagements:

The Cedi@60 Anniversary Currency Conference (Accra, Ghana, November 17-20) hosted by the Bank of Ghana, in partnership with Currency Research, will celebrate 60 years of the Ghanaian Cedi, bringing together leaders from across Africa and beyond to reflect on the currency’s legacy and chart its digital future. Learn about Ghana’s eCedi pilot and the future of sovereign digital currencies in Africa, and engage with innovators driving mobile money, QR code payments, and financial inclusion across the region. [Register here]

The Digital Euro Conference 2026 (Frankfurt, March 26) will explore the future of money with a focus on CBDCs, stablecoins, and commercial bank tokens. This hybrid event offers the perfect platform to understand the future of digital money! When you register, get 20% off the regular ticket price by using the Kiffmeister20 code! [register here]

I produce a monthly digest of digital fiat currency (DFC) developments exclusively for the official sector (e.g., central banks, ministries of finance and international financial institution (e.g., the BIS, IMF, OECD, World Bank)) plus academics and firms that are active in the DFC space (commercial banks, technology providers, consultants, etc.). (DFCs include central bank digital currency (CBDC), stablecoins and tokenized deposits.) It goes out via email on the first business day of every month, and if you’re interested in being on the mailing list, please email me at john@kiffmeister.com.