Citi Pulls Into the Banking Core

Blockchain technology, once dismissed as a niche experiment for cryptocurrencies, is now becoming the backbone of modern banking. Leading the charge is Citi, which is seamlessly integrating into its core operations to power 24/7 global commerce. This isn’t about flashy crypto tokens—it’s about building efficient, interoperable infrastructure that enhances traditional banking without disruption.

The Evolution of in Finance: From Fringe to Foundation

Blockchain was born to disrupt outdated financial systems built on batch processing, holidays, and regional hours. For years, it hovered on the periphery, promising transparency, speed, and efficiency but rarely touching the heart of global banks.

That’s changing fast. As markets demand constant availability, banks like Citi are embedding directly into their operating models. “The technology itself is sound,” says Biswarup Chatterjee, global head of partnerships and innovation at Citi Services. “It has operational scale to it.”

This shift isn’t driven by hype or ideology. It’s a practical response to real-world commerce, where eCommerce platforms and digital marketplaces never sleep. During the pandemic, businesses learned they could trade globally without weekends or borders halting progress. Financial services had to catch up.

“There were no holidays, there were no weekends. Nothing stopping you from doing business,” Chatterjee noted.

Today, enables banks to match this pace, delivering payments, liquidity, and settlement in real-time, around the clock.

Citi’s Smart Integration Approach: Technology First, Not Tokens

What sets Citi apart is its focus on as a foundational technology, not just trendy instruments like stablecoins or NFTs. Public buzz often centers on crypto assets, but Citi prioritizes the underlying infrastructure.

“For us, it’s about the technology and its benefits, and then the types of instruments,” Chatterjee explained. “We’re very focused more on the technology.”

Key to this strategy is integration. Rather than forcing clients to overhaul workflows, Citi weaves behind the scenes. Clients continue using familiar channels—APIs, portals, or legacy systems—while reaping benefits like faster processing and better data.

This demystifies , which many view as a “mysterious technology” requiring massive overhauls. In reality, it integrates with existing tech stacks through emerging standards, scaling effortlessly.

Unlocking ‘s Core Benefits for Banks

shines in areas where traditional finance falters. Here’s how it’s transforming banking:

• Always-On Operations: No more batch windows or cutoffs. Networks run 24/7, syncing with global commerce.
• Structured Data: Forget PDFs and emails. delivers natively digital, standardized data for easy reconciliation and analysis.
• Programmability and Consistency: Smart contracts automate processes while ensuring all participants see the same tamper-proof records.
• Efficiency Gains: Reduced manual work, lower costs, and real-time visibility across payments, treasury, and trade finance.

“Here is an ecosystem that is natively digital. You can get and use structured data out of this ecosystem very efficiently,” Chatterjee highlighted.

For banks handling trillions in transactions, these advantages compound into massive savings and improved client satisfaction.

Why Now? The Rise of 24/7 Global Commerce

The catalyst? Explosive growth in cross-border eCommerce and supply chains. Over the past five years, businesses have gone hyper-global, amplifying mismatches between always-on sales and time-bound banking.

Citi sensed this demand firsthand. “We could feel our clients’ need for financial services—payments, liquidity, everything starting to go 24/7,” Chatterjee said.

bridges that gap, enabling liquidity to flow as freely as goods and data. It’s not just payments; it’s holistic—covering custody, settlement, and beyond.

Prioritizing Interoperability: The Key to a Unified Ecosystem

As tokenized assets like deposits, securities, and stablecoins proliferate, Citi emphasizes interoperability. Siloed networks won’t cut it.

“For all of this ecosystem to work, you need interoperability,” Chatterjee stressed. This means seamless connections between instruments, networks, and institutions, plus robust data exchange protocols.

Central to this is wallet infrastructure. Wallets aren’t just storage—they’re hubs for servicing, transferring, and managing assets. With Citi expanding digital asset custody, wallets become mission-critical.

Imagine tokenized treasuries interacting flawlessly with traditional payments or trade finance. That’s the interoperable future Citi is building.

The Broader Digital Transformation: Meets AI and Automation

isn’t a standalone silo at Citi. It’s part of a larger toolkit including data platforms, AI, and automation.

“We exist to service our clients and provide a sense of safety, security, and control,” Chatterjee affirmed.

As clients dive into tokenized markets, will fuse with core services like treasury management and custody, simplifying complexity rather than adding it.

What This Means for the Future of Banking

Citi’s move signals a tipping point. is no longer optional—it’s core infrastructure powering resilient, efficient finance. Banks ignoring it risk falling behind in a 24/7 world.

By focusing on integration, interoperability, and client-centric innovation, Citi isn’t just adopting ; it’s redefining the banking core. Expect more institutions to follow, blending old and new for a frictionless financial future.

Stay tuned as accelerates. The era of always-on, data-rich finance is here.