Citi Ventures expands digital exposure
Citi Ventures has invested in BVNK, a stablecoin infrastructure provider headquartered in San Francisco, in a move that underscores growing institutional interest in regulated digital asset platforms.
The funding round, announced on 9 October, also included participation from existing investors. BVNK said its valuation remains above the 0m mark set in its previous round.
Founded in the UK, BVNK offers APIs and compliance tools that enable businesses to integrate stablecoin payments into their operations. The company reported a sharp increase in demand following the passage of the GENIUS Act in the United States, which establishes a regulatory framework for fiat-backed stablecoins.
The Citi investment adds to a series of digital asset initiatives from major banks around the world.
In a separate development, SoftBank’s PayPay Corporation has acquired a 40% stake in Binance Japan, the regulated Japanese subsidiary of global crypto exchange Binance. The deal is expected to support product development and user growth in Japan’s digital asset market, which operates under Financial Services Agency (FSA) oversight.
Together, the announcements reflect a broader trend of traditional financial institutions expanding their exposure to digital assets through infrastructure, custody and payments.