Coinbase Adds Cross-Border Wire Transfers for Whales in Europe and Asia

Coinbase has launched cross-border wire transfers and expanded custody services for institutional customers in Asia, the U.K. and Europe.

AccessTimeIconJan 22, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. UTC
Updated Aug 18, 2021 at 10:36 p.m. UTC

Presented By Icon

Election 2024 coverage presented by

Stand with crypto

Crypto exchange Coinbase is launching cross-border wire transfers for institutional clients in Asia, the U.K. and Europe.

Coinbase said in an announcement Tuesday that, for clients in countries where fiat payments rails aren’t yet available, the firm will now support inbound and outbound SWIFT transfers from non-US bank accounts.

  • Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
    13:18
    Bitcoin Mining in the U.S. Will Become 'a Lot More Decentralized': Core Scientific CEO
  • Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
    05:10
    Binance to Discontinue Its Nigerian Naira Services After Government Scrutiny
  • The first video of the year 2024
    04:07
    The first video of the year 2024
  • The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
    40:07
    The last regression video of the year 3.67.0
  • It added:

    "This new feature will allow Coinbase customers in many countries throughout Asia and EMEA to access Coinbase’s deep pool of crypto liquidity for the first time."

    Simultaneously, the firm said it will offer new OTC trading desks for U.S. and European customers, as well as trading and custody services for large-volume clients in Asia.

    For the latter service, Asian traders will have access to the USDC stablecoin, which is backed by dollar reserves held by the exchange, while certain Coinbase Prime customers will also be able to use its Custody cold storage service as well.

    Meanwhile, the company's OTC desks will ensure that large-volume trades will have a minimal impact on crypto prices, according to the announcement. To protect user privacy, it noted that counterparty information is confidential, and "only minimum trade details are disclosed."

    "Coinbase’s OTC desk is agency only, meaning that we never trade on a principal basis or against our clients [and] Coinbase never trades on a proprietary basis," the exchange said.

    The exchange said it was targeting crypto-first hedge funds, as well as traditional trading firms, family offices and endowments with the additions, which come as expanded services for Coinbase Pro and Prime customers in the regions. The services will be available immediately.

    Coinbase first announced it had opened an OTC trading desk last November.

    To oversee the exchange's institutional sales, Coinbase has appointed former U.S. institutional sales head Kayvon Pirestani to head up the same task in Asia, based out of its Tokyo office.

    Coinbase image via CoinDesk archives

    Disclosure

    Please note that our privacy policy, terms of use, cookies, and do not sell my personal information have been updated.

    CoinDesk is an award-winning media outlet that covers the cryptocurrency industry. Its journalists abide by a strict set of editorial policies. CoinDesk has adopted a set of principles aimed at ensuring the integrity, editorial independence and freedom from bias of its publications. CoinDesk is part of the Bullish group, which owns and invests in digital asset businesses and digital assets. CoinDesk employees, including journalists, may receive Bullish group equity-based compensation. Bullish was incubated by technology investor Block.one.


    Learn more about Consensus 2024, CoinDesk's longest-running and most influential event that brings together all sides of crypto, blockchain and Web3. Head to consensus.coindesk.com to register and buy your pass now.