Barclays PLC (LON: BARC) has made its first direct investment in a stablecoin-related company.
The bank has acquired a stake in Ubyx, a US-based startup specialising in stablecoin clearing and settlement.
Ubyx was founded in 2025 and provides infrastructure that allows stablecoins from multiple issuers to be reconciled efficiently.
It enables stablecoins pegged 1:1 to traditional currencies to function more like conventional cash.
Barclays exploring new forms of digital money
Barclays stated that the move aligns with its strategy to explore new forms of regulated and tokenised money.
The British-based bank is focused on stablecoin infrastructure rather than issuing its own digital currency.
This approach reflects a cautious but forward-looking strategy in the evolving digital asset landscape.
The stake size and Ubyx’s valuation were not publicly disclosed.
However, the investment signals confidence in the potential of stablecoin settlement systems.
Ubyx had already drawn venture support from firms like Coinbase Ventures, Galaxy Digital, and Founders Fund before Barclays’ participation.
This mix of traditional and crypto-focused investors highlights the growing collaboration between financial institutions and blockchain startups.
By investing in infrastructure rather than the tokens themselves, Barclays mitigates risk while gaining exposure to digital payments.
The bank is also exploring how stablecoins can fit within existing regulatory frameworks.
Banks engaging with stablecoins
The move places Barclays among a select group of major banks engaging directly with stablecoin infrastructure.
Previously, Barclays joined a consortium of banks, including Goldman Sachs and UBS, to explore a G7 currency-pegged stablecoin.
Such initiatives reflect a broader industry push to combine traditional finance with digital asset technology.
Stablecoins provide liquidity and faster settlement in financial markets, making them attractive for institutional adoption.
By participating in Ubyx, Barclays positions itself at the intersection of regulated finance and blockchain innovation.
The investment also underscores the growing legitimacy of stablecoins as a bridge between conventional and digital finance.
Early reactions suggest investor interest, as Barclays shares experienced a modest uplift after the announcement.
This aligns with broader trends, where banks are cautiously experimenting with tokenised money solutions.
The expansion of regulated stablecoin systems could reshape cross-border payments and settlement processes in the near future.
By supporting infrastructure rather than issuing tokens, Barclays ensures compliance while testing new technology.
This move may encourage other traditional financial institutions to follow a similar path.
It also highlights the importance of regulatory clarity for stablecoins in global markets.
The bank’s strategy suggests that regulated, tokenised money could become a mainstream component of global finance.
As highlighted in an earlier report, stablecoins are becoming central to bridging conventional banking and blockchain-based financial networks, and partnerships like Barclays and Ubyx could define the future of tokenised finance.
The investment also marks a clear change in Barclays’ stance on cryptocurrencies, following years of caution in which the bank emphasised risks and limited certain crypto-related activity.
As recently as June 2025, Barclays announced it would block cryptocurrency purchases on Barclaycard credit cards, pointing to the high volatility of digital assets.
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