Citi expands token services to UAE and Japan

Citi Token Services has expanded its global network to include the United Arab Emirates and Japan, reinforcing its push to integrate traditional finance with digital asset infrastructure. The move aligns with Citi’s broader strategy to create a seamless, real-time financial ecosystem for corporate and institutional clients by reducing inefficiencies in cross-border liquidity and payments.

The service now supports USD transactions in Japan and both USD and euro transactions in the UAE, building on its existing operations in the U.S., Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the U.K. By leveraging a private-permissioned blockchain, Citi Token Services enables near-instantaneous fund transfers across its global network, eliminating traditional banking cutoffs and time zone barriers.

For clients, this means faster access to liquidity and collateral management, particularly in markets where cross-border flows are high. The UAE’s role as a financial gateway for trade between the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia makes it a critical hub for this expansion. Meanwhile, Japan, ranked as the world’s fourth-largest economy, adds another major liquidity center to the network, supporting multinational corporations and financial institutions.

Stephen Randall, Global Head of Liquidity Management Services, called the expansion a key step in scaling the network. “These are significant financial centers with substantial cross-border flows and connecting them to Citi Token Services gives clients greater optionality to move and manage liquidity across regions and currencies in real-time.”

The UAE’s growth as a real-time payments leader further strengthens its appeal. Rizwan Shaikh, Head of Services for the Middle East & Africa, noted that the addition of USD and euro capabilities allows clients to manage cross-currency liquidity around the clock. “Expanding Citi Token Services into the UAE with USD and Euro capabilities enables clients to manage cross-currency liquidity 24/7, which is key to connecting the local ambitions of our corporate and financial institutional clients with their global expansion. This positions Citi to deepen relationships and optimize liquidity in and out of the region.”

In Japan, the focus is on USD transactions, enabling faster capital deployment for treasurers. Kanika Thakur, Head of Services for Japan, Asia North, and Australia, emphasized that the expansion helps clients “connect clients in the market to Citi’s growing 24/7 payments, collateral and liquidity solutions, enabling USD transactions to move in and out of Japan in real time and helping corporate and financial institutional treasurers put capital to work more efficiently.”

Beyond these markets, Citi is also advancing its 24/7 USD Clearing and multi-bank tokenized networks, aiming to create a more interconnected financial infrastructure. The expansions reflect a broader trend: as global commerce shifts toward real-time operations, traditional banks are adopting blockchain-based solutions to keep pace.