Coinbase Names Centrifuge as Base Tokenization Partner

Table of Contents Coinbase has selected Centrifuge as Base’s primary tokenization partner and confirmed a strategic investment in the firm. The exchange will use Centrifuge to convert traditional financial assets into onchain products. Both companies said the agreement strengthens their shared plan to expand regulated assets across blockchain rails. Coinbase will rely on Centrifuge to tokenize assets such as ETFs, credit funds, and structured products. The companies will issue these assets on Base, Coinbase’s incubated blockchain network. Centrifuge CEO Bhaji Illuminati confirmed the partnership and investment in comments to The Block. Base Head of DeFi Zachary Frey said the company reviewed several providers before choosing Centrifuge. He said, “Centrifuge stood out for its scalable infrastructure and institutional focus.” He added that the firm supports Base’s long-term plan to bring more assets onchain. The companies did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. However, the Illuminati said Coinbase has historically backed teams aligned with its strategy. She explained that the partnership will start with high-demand products such as widely recognized ETFs. Illuminati said the company’s plan to expand offerings over time as liquidity grows. She stated that distribution and liquidity remain central to scaling tokenized assets. She also confirmed that tokenizing Coinbase’s COIN stock remains a long-term objective. Coinbase has expanded into blockchain-based equities and other non-crypto assets in recent years. The exchange also plans to offer prime brokerage services that include token issuance. This partnership supports that direction by providing issuance and compliance infrastructure. Centrifuge will supply tools for tokenization, structuring, and yield APIs under the agreement. The platform also offers compliance frameworks and connections to DeFi protocols. Centrifuge executives said the integration will streamline access while maintaining institutional standards. Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Anil Sood said the collaboration focuses on distribution. He said, “By integrating our tokenization infrastructure with Coinbase’s distribution, we create a foundation for compliant asset growth.” He added that the partnership will reach retail, institutional, and developer users. Data from RWA.xyz shows Base holds about $240 million in real-world assets, excluding stablecoins. The network ranks 14th by value, ahead of Aptos and behind Mantle. Base also records high transaction counts among Ethereum Layer 2 networks. Centrifuge and Coinbase have worked together before this agreement. In 2024, Centrifuge launched the licensed Janus Henderson Anemoy S&P 500 Index Fund on Base. The firm also introduced institutional strategies JAAA and ACRDX on the network. Coinbase Ventures joined Centrifuge’s $4 million strategic funding round in 2022. The venture arm also backed its $15 million Series A round in April 2024. During that round, Centrifuge outlined plans to build real-world asset lending markets on Base. Founded in 2017, Centrifuge has formed partnerships with Apollo, Janus Henderson, and S&P Dow Jones Indices. The firm has released a modular white-label product and an RWA Launchpad. It recently deployed natively on Monad while expanding its multi-chain presence. Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.