Circle, the issuer of the USDC and EURC stablecoins, is expanding its regulated stablecoin infrastructure in Europe through a new partnership with ClearBank.
As per the official agreement, Circle’s stablecoin settlement network will connect with ClearBank’s cloud-based banking platform, giving European institutions a compliant way to use stablecoins for payments and liquidity.
Circle is currently the only major stablecoin issuer operating under the European Union’s MiCA framework, after securing a license in France in 2024. This regulatory position enables USDC and EURC to be issued and redeemed in Europe under local supervision.
How the Integration Will Work
The initial step of the collaboration will be the Europe-wide deployment of Circle Mint, allowing institutions to exchange fiat and stablecoins. ClearBank also intends to connect with the Circle Payments Network (CPN), settling transactions immediately on public blockchains. This may decrease dependence on slower cross-border banking rails.
ClearBank’s move reflects a broader trend in Europe, where more banks are bringing digital assets onto regulated banking rails instead of leaving them only to crypto-native platforms. The bank, which has recently expanded its European footprint after securing approval from the European Central Bank, is positioning itself to support faster cross-border settlement inside the regulatory perimeter.
Strategic Outlook
Beyond payments, both firms see room for stablecoin use in treasury operations and tokenized settlement. If successful, the model may be adopted by other banks operating under MiCA.
Commenting on the development, ClearBank CEO Mark Fairless said the move is a step toward modernizing cross-border payments using digital settlement tools. He said, “Circle is redefining how money moves globally, and this collaboration will bring together our strengths in regulated banking infrastructure with their leadership in digital currency technology.”
Circle’s EMEA Partnerships Lead, Sanja Kon, said the collaboration will make USDC and EURC easier for European institutions to access and use. She added that the move could support new financial services built on regulated stablecoins.