Thirty-seven European banks have joined forces under the Qivalis consortium to create a euro-backed stablecoin regulated by MiCA, aiming to reshape digital payments across the continent. This initiative will be a major focus at MERGE Madrid 2026, the event scheduled for late October that brings together key players from banks, regulators, and fintech firms.
Big names like BBVA, Santander, Cecabank, BNP Paribas, and Visa are part of the consortium. Their goal is to build a 24/7 payments infrastructure that supports instant settlement, designed to meet the demands of an increasingly digital and borderless economy. This move reflects Europe’s effort to maintain monetary sovereignty amid rapid developments in digital currencies and the growing dominance of US dollar-backed stablecoins.
MERGE Madrid 2026 will spotlight how these institutions plan to influence the future of money, stablecoins, and tokenization in Europe. The event also highlights a broader contest between banks, payment networks, and regulators to define financial infrastructure for the next decade.
This is informational content, not financial advice.
