ClearBank Partners with Circle to Advance USDC and EURC Adoption Across Europe

ClearBank has entered into a strategic framework agreement with Circle Internet Financial to expand the use of USD Coin (USDC) and EUR Coin (EURC) across Europe. The partnership connects ClearBank’s regulated cloud-based banking infrastructure with Circle’s blockchain payment network, enabling faster, cheaper, and more transparent cross-border transactions for institutions and fintechs.

Through the integration of Circle Mint and the Circle Payments Network (CPN), ClearBank will allow clients to issue and redeem stablecoins directly, bringing blockchain-powered efficiency into traditional finance. Mark Fairless, CEO of ClearBank, emphasized that the collaboration “bridges regulated banking systems with blockchain-based payments,” adding that the combination of ClearBank’s cloud platform and Circle’s expertise would help clients “transact globally at internet speed.”

Sanja Kon, Circle’s Vice President for Partnerships EMEA, described the deal as a major milestone in building “an open, programmable financial system” that improves transparency and reach for institutional payments. The initiative follows Circle’s earlier partnership with Deutsche Börse Group to integrate USDC and EURC settlement on 360T Markets, reflecting a broader trend of banks joining tokenized money networks.

ClearBank’s move coincides with Europe’s accelerated shift toward digital finance under the upcoming Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation, set to take effect in 2026. MiCA will require stablecoin issuers to maintain full reserves and regular audits, reinforcing market trust. Major European banks such as ING, ABN AMRO, and Banco Santander are already exploring tokenized deposits and blockchain settlements, while the Swiss National Bank is piloting wholesale CBDCs.

According to the European Blockchain Observatory, over 60% of EU financial institutions plan to adopt blockchain payment systems by 2026. As digital currency adoption accelerates, Europe is poised to lead the global transition toward regulated, blockchain-based financial infrastructure.