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ClearBank, a technology-enabled clearing bank, is making a major push into digital finance to expand stablecoin use and improve cross-border payments across Europe.

Strategic Alliance Between ClearBank and Circle

ClearBank has announced a strategic framework agreement with a subsidiary of Circle Internet Group, the stablecoin giant behind USDC and EURC. 

Through this partnership, the two companies will work together on a range of initiatives in the European market.

Initially, the focus will be on expanding access to USDC and EURC, Circle’s MiCA-compliant, fully reserved stablecoins, through Circle Mint in Europe. This move places ClearBank as a core infrastructure partner for banks and fintechs, that are looking for trusted, multi-currency stablecoin solutions for payments, treasury, and liquidity use cases. 

ClearBank to Join Circle’s Payments Network

ClearBank is taking another big step by planning to join Circle’s Payments Network (CPN), making it one of the first European banks to do so. This will let clients move money around the world at internet speed, with the transparency of blockchain technology.

By linking its cloud-based banking system with Circle’s infrastructure, including Circle Mint and the Circle Payments Network, ClearBank is bridging traditional and digital finance to make cross-border payments faster and cheaper.

Mark Fairless, CEO of ClearBank, said this move marks a major step in ClearBank’s growth as a cross-border payments innovator.

Sanja Kon, VP of Partnerships & Business Development, EMEA at Circle, said that this partnership will expand access to USDC and EURC, helping drive faster, more transparent payments and unlock new financial services built on “open, programmable money.”

Expanding Opportunities Beyond Payments

ClearBank and Circle are also exploring additional strategic use cases, including stablecoin-based treasury solutions and future tokenized asset settlement integrations.

Circle launched the CPN in April, to connect banks, fintechs, and payment providers to settle cross-border payments in real time using regulated stablecoins like USDC and EURC. CPN supports a wide range of cross-border use cases, from payments and remittances to treasury and onchain finance. 

Circle also became the first global stablecoin issuer to meet MiCA requirements in July 2024, well ahead of the regulation coming fully into effect later that year.

Clearbank’s move highlights the growing confidence among financial institutions in using stablecoins for global payments.