- Barclays took its first equity stake in a stablecoin-focused startup, Ubyx.
- Stablecoins are increasingly viewed as tools for faster, regulated payments.
- Fintech giants like Stripe and Mastercard are expanding stablecoin use cases.
Major financial institutions are stepping up investments in stablecoin infrastructure, hinting that digital dollars are moving closer to the core of the global payments system rather than remaining a niche crypto product.
This week, Barclays confirmed it has taken an equity stake in U.S.-based startup Ubyx, marking the bank’s first direct investment in a company focused entirely on stablecoins. The move shows growing interest among traditional lenders in tokenized forms of cash that operate under existing regulatory rules.
According to reports, a spokesperson said, “This investment aligns with Barclays’ approach to explore opportunities based on new forms of digital money, such as stablecoins.”
Earlier, Barclays joined a group of global lenders examining the possibility of issuing fully backed digital money tied to major currencies. Barclays said the investment fits its broader effort to explore tokenized money while staying inside regulatory boundaries. The bank did not disclose how much it invested or the company’s valuation.
Payments Giants Make Their Moves
Barclays is not alone. Across the payments industry, large firms are committing capital to stablecoin-related technology.
Payments company Stripe agreed to buy stablecoin infrastructure firm Bridge for about $1.1 billion, betting that stablecoins will become an important layer for always-on international payments and corporate cash management.
At the same time, Mastercard has teamed up with Fiserv to develop card products that allow spending directly from stablecoin balances, blending digital assets with existing payment rails.
In emerging markets, funding is also flowing. Indian fintech Speed recently raised capital from Tether and other investors to expand Bitcoin and stablecoin payments using the Lightning Network.
Regulators Set the Guardrails
As adoption grows, regulators are tightening oversight. In the UK, the Bank of England has discussed limits on large stablecoin transfers to prevent sudden shifts out of bank deposits during periods of stress, while working with the Financial Conduct Authority on a broader rulebook.
In the U.S., new legislation aimed at payment-focused stablecoins is providing clearer standards for issuers and institutions, encouraging more traditional firms to engage.
Related: Morgan Stanley Pushes Into Crypto ETFs With New Bitcoin & Solana Filing
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Source: https://coinedition.com/barclays-backs-stablecoin-settlement-technology-in-first-equity-deal/
