The Coinbase-funded pilot will provide 160 New York residents with $12,000 in USDC to study spending behaviors.

Pilot setup and payments

The program issues a one-time allocation of $8,000 and subsequent monthly transfers of $800 until the total reaches $12,000.

Participants receive funds in Coinbase wallets and retain the option to withdraw balances into U.S. dollars through standard on‑ramps.

Target areas and participant profile

The pilot focuses on lower-income neighborhoods, specifically South Bronx and East Harlem, to observe use patterns in those communities.

Organizers selected residents to examine how stablecoins are used for consumption, saving, or speculative transfers within everyday financial flows.

Research objectives and timeline

The stated aim is to understand recipients’ choices regarding conversion to fiat, retention in wallets, or spending on digital assets and services.

Results from the study are scheduled for publication on 01.02.2026, according to the pilot announcement.

Context and considerations

Organizers describe the initiative as a research effort that also carries a marketing dimension, using regulated stablecoins to track behavior.

The pilot’s design allows analysis of transaction data and self-reported outcomes while preserving participants’ ability to convert tokens to cash.