ClearBank launches Digital Asset Rails for instant cross-border settlement
ClearBank Europe today announced the launch of its Digital Asset Rails, a new capability enabling programmable liquidity for cross-border settlement with 24/7[1] fiat payouts in EUR via SEPA Instant. The service is now live and being used by clients for cross-border payment flows, with USDC to be offered later in the year.
ClearBank’s Digital Asset Rails enables regulated institutions to make stablecoin transfers and deliver fiat payments through established banking rails. The launch addresses long-standing constraints in global payments by introducing programmable liquidity for cross-border flows, with a roadmap to expand operating capabilities over time.
The service functions as a programmable liquidity capability that enables clients to instruct the conversion of fiat funds into fully reserved digital equivalents (EURC), transfer value efficiently, then redeem back into fiat with payouts via SEPA Instant. EURC is a MiCA-compliant euro-denominated stablecoin issued by Circle’s regulated[2] e-money institution in the EU, while ClearBank provides the regulated banking layer, including fiat account infrastructure and access to SEPA Instant. The model also has the potential to support additional currencies over time through stablecoin FX. By enabling more efficient settlement, the capability also brings improved liquidity efficiency and reductions in the need for prefunding across multiple markets.
The service is available to regulated institutions, including electronic money institutions (EMIs), payment institutions (PIs) and banks. MiCA-regulated firms with non-retail use cases will also be able to transfer funds through the Digital Asset Rails.
The launch marks an advancement in hybrid finance, combining modern digital asset infrastructure with trusted regulated banking to deliver fiat settlement outcomes. The combination allows clients to deliver instant, reliable fiat outcomes on banking rails, without being bound by traditional settlement windows, or legacy processes. It will initially be targeted at ClearBank’s European clients, with scope to expand the opportunity internationally over time.
Digital Asset Rails builds on ClearBank Europe’s status as the first Dutch credit institution to complete MiCA notification to offer digital asset services and brings the bank to the forefront of innovation in digital asset use for trusted value transfer of fiat funds in Europe.
Mark Fairless, Group CEO of ClearBank, said: “This launch is a further step forward in how we deliver on our purpose to unlock our clients’ potential. As the financial system evolves, clients need infrastructure that keeps pace with how they operate today.
At ClearBank, we are building that infrastructure. By combining our cloud-native platform with regulated banking, we are removing friction from cross-border flows and giving clients a more effective way to control and deploy liquidity. This is the direction of travel for the industry, and we are focused on enabling our clients to move with it confidently.”
Tristan Kirchner, CEO of ClearBank Europe, said: “Digital Asset Rails gives regulated institutions a new way to manage cross-border liquidity and settlement. By connecting digital asset transfers with fiat payouts via SEPA Instant, it enables clients to move value more efficiently and with greater flexibility than traditional cross-border processes typically allow.
This is about solving a real operational challenge for clients. By combining digital asset infrastructure with the assurance of a regulated banking layer, we are helping institutions reduce friction in cross-border flows and access a more programmable model for moving money.”
[1] While the service supports 24/7 transaction processing, certain exception handling and contingency processes may be performed during business hours
2 EURC is issued by regulated affiliates of Circle. See Circle’s list of regulatory authorizations at circle.com/legal/licences