TL;DR
- ClearBank makes history in Europe after signing an agreement with Circle Internet Group to integrate regulated stablecoin payments.
- The bank will connect its infrastructure to the Circle Payments Network, which enables 24/7 settlements with USDC and EURC.
- ClearBank will be able to issue and redeem USDC and EURC.
ClearBank will become the first European bank to integrate regulated stablecoin payments following an agreement with Circle Internet Group.
The partnership will link its banking infrastructure to the Circle Payments Network (CPN), a blockchain-based settlement system that operates 24/7 and supports transfers with USDC and EURC — the only two stablecoins fully compliant with the European Union’s MiCA framework.
Stablecoins Gain Ground in the European Market
The agreement marks a structural shift in cross-border payments. ClearBank will be able to issue and redeem USDC and EURC directly through Circle Mint France, which holds an Electronic Money Institution license from France’s ACPR regulator. Both coins maintain a one-to-one peg with the dollar and the euro, are fully backed by audited reserves, and enable instant settlements without intermediaries or time restrictions.
The CPN connects financial institutions globally through blockchain infrastructure compatible with Ethereum, Polygon, Solana, and other EVM networks. Each institution can operate as an originating or beneficiary entity and perform real-time payments or settlements. ClearBank will integrate the system into its native cloud API platform, enabling clearing, treasury management, and tokenized asset settlement services.
ClearBank to Invest €70 Million for Further Expansion
Since establishing its European base in Amsterdam, ClearBank has strengthened and expanded its presence across the continent. In 2024, it obtained a credit institution license from the European Central Bank, connected to the Eurosystem’s T2 payment rail, and began serving clients such as OpenPayd, Pay Perform, and Transact Payments. The bank plans to invest more than €70 million over the next five years to support its growth and expand its workforce by more than 60 employees.
CEO Mark Fairless described joining the CPN as a decisive step toward the digitalization of international payments. According to Sanja Kon, Circle’s Vice President for EMEA, the integration will bring the concept of open and programmable money into Europe’s financial infrastructure
