European Banks Consortium to Launch MiCA-Compliant Euro Stablecoin by 2026
Nine major European banks, including ING, UniCredit, and CaixaBank, have formed a consortium to issue a euro-pegged stablecoin, marking a watershed moment for institutional crypto adoption. The 1:1 fiat-backed asset will operate under the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, with a Dutch Central Bank license application already submitted.
The initiative targets mid-2026 for launch, leveraging the combined assets and customer networks of participating banks to establish a pan-European digital payment standard. Regulatory alignment distinguishes this effort from private stablecoin projects, offering built-in compliance for cross-border transactions.