Paul Johnson ClearBank partners with Circle to join the Circle Payments Network, scaling USDC and EURC adoption in Europe through faster, low-cost cross-border transactions.
ClearBank joins Circle Payments Network in a major step toward digital finance integration
ClearBank has entered a new phase in its digital evolution by partnering with Circle to join the Circle Payments Network. The collaboration positions the United Kingdom–based clearing bank as one of the first European financial institutions to integrate directly with Circle’s blockchain settlement ecosystem. This move is set to amplify the adoption of USDC and EURC across Europe while enhancing the efficiency of cross-border payments.
The partnership is designed to link ClearBank’s cloud-based infrastructure with Circle’s tokenized settlement network, enabling seamless minting and redemption of stablecoins through Circle Mint. This integration gives financial institutions a direct gateway to issue and redeem digital currencies in real time, supporting faster and cheaper transactions across global markets.
Circle Payments Network partnership strengthens European stablecoin ecosystem
ClearBank’s integration into the Circle Payments Network represents a pivotal moment for Europe’s expanding digital finance ecosystem. The Circle Payments Network connects banks and payment providers globally, using USDC and EURC as bridges for value transfer across borders.
By joining this network, ClearBank will give its clients access to instant blockchain settlement using regulated stablecoins that comply with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation. Circle was the first global stablecoin issuer to align with MiCA in mid-2024, setting a regulatory benchmark for transparency and compliance across the industry.
ClearBank’s move strengthens the bridge between traditional finance and decentralized settlement systems. Through Circle Mint, the bank can issue and redeem digital assets directly on the blockchain, providing clients with a modern alternative to legacy payment rails. This partnership highlights how regulated institutions are increasingly embracing blockchain infrastructure to enhance efficiency and reduce transaction friction in the global payments landscape.
Bridging traditional banking and blockchain through Circle Payments Network
The integration with Circle’s settlement network positions ClearBank as a pioneer among European financial institutions moving toward blockchain-powered payments. The initiative aims to streamline international settlements by using stablecoins as on-chain payment instruments, reducing the delays and costs typical of conventional cross-border systems.
Mark Fairless, CEO of ClearBank, described the collaboration as a milestone in the bank’s mission to innovate in global payments. He emphasized that joining the Circle Payments Network represents a significant leap in transforming how funds move across financial systems worldwide.
The partnership also creates new opportunities for strategic innovation. ClearBank plans to explore stablecoin-based treasury management and tokenized asset settlement solutions in the coming months. These developments could allow businesses to manage liquidity, execute transactions, and settle tokenized securities directly through blockchain rails.
Circle Payments Network continues global expansion with ClearBank collaboration
The partnership between Circle and ClearBank follows a series of strategic moves aimed at extending the reach of Circle’s stablecoin infrastructure in regulated financial markets. Earlier in October, Circle partnered with Deutsche Börse to list and trade USDC and EURC on its 3DX digital exchange. That collaboration focused on integrating blockchain settlement into Europe’s institutional finance ecosystem.
ClearBank’s addition to the Circle Payments Network marks another milestone in that journey. As one of the first European banks to onboard, ClearBank will play a critical role in expanding stablecoin liquidity and usage across the continent. The move demonstrates how blockchain-based payments are becoming an integral part of Europe’s regulated financial systems.
With the Circle Payments Network expanding rapidly, the collaboration underscores a growing convergence between traditional finance and digital assets. It highlights how regulated banks are leveraging blockchain infrastructure to improve transparency, efficiency, and speed in global payments.
Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards.
