Coinbase International Exchange has integrated with Copper’s ClearLoop network, enabling institutional clients to conduct off-exchange settlement amid growing demand for enhanced trading infrastructure.
Announced Thursday and following regulatory approval from the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), the integration allows institutions to manage collateral and effect trade settlements accelerated to near real-time without transferring crypto assets directly onto the exchange.
Related: Has Bitcoin been captured by politics and institutions?
Focus On Institutional Features
For institutional crypto participants, the integration addresses critical operational concerns including the mitigation of counterparty risk, and the improvement of capital efficiency, according to a statement shared with Cointelegraph.
“Institutions desire this functionality and flexibility because ClearLoop enables accelerated off-exchange settlement times for institutions using Coinbase International Exchange,” a Coinbase spokesperson told Cointelegraph. “This improves the user experience of managing collateral, reducing counterparty risk and enhancing capital efficiency.”
The collaboration initiates with support for the stablecoin USDC. Coinbase confirmed additional collateral assets will be added in the near term.
Copper’s ClearLoop utilizes multiparty computation (MPC) technology to facilitate off-exchange settlement. This eliminates the need for users to deposit substantial crypto assets on the exchange platform. Notably, Ethena, a protocol renowned for USDe hedging functionality, has been designated as a day-one launch partner for the integration.
“This significant integration with Coinbase International Exchange expands institutional access to rapid, secure off-exchange trading and settlement,” stated Amar Kuchinad, global CEO of Copper. “This marks a milestone in developing a mature digital assets industry.”
“Institutional clients demand both security and agility when managing digital assets,” added Marc Zeitouni, CEO of Coinbase International Exchange.
Related: Danger signs for Bitcoin as retail abandons it to institutions?
Growing Institutional Appetite
Recent studies underscore the increasing institutional stake in cryptocurrency despite potential shifts in initial interest from retail investors. A March survey conducted jointly by Coinbase and EY-Parthenon found that 83% of institutional investors planning for 2025 intend to significantly increase their cryptocurrency portfolio allocations. Among respondents, the majority expressed the expectation to dedicate 5% or more of their investment portfolios to digital assets this year.
The specific cryptocurrency assets held by institutions cited in the survey reveal diversification beyond cryptocurrency mainstays Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH). Respondents identified XRP (XRP) and Solana (SOL) as the most widely held alternative assets.
Further supporting market penetration data, the Fireblocks May 2025 report indicated that 90% of institutional players are either currently utilizing or exploring stablecoin applications, with approximately 48% actively employing stablecoins for payment processing.
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