Stablecoins and the euro on blockchain: A new era for digital payments

This blog post is a recap of a webinar hosted by Tangany in February 2026. Access the full replay at the end of this blog. 

Key take-aways

• The €250B global stablecoin market is 99.9% USD-denominated, leaving Europe with a critical opportunity to assert its financial sovereignty through euro-pegged solutions.

• Europe’s harmonized MiCA framework creates the world’s largest single market for digital assets, offering institutions a clear, compliant path to adopt stablecoins.

• Euro stablecoins enable instant, low-cost global transactions, tokenized assets, and 24/7 treasury operations, upgrading rather than replacing traditional finance.

• Success hinges on banks, custodians, and regulators working together to build secure, interoperable infrastructure for a digital euro ecosystem.

Introduction: The rise of stablecoins in Europe

In this webinar, Martin Kreitmar, CEO of Tangany, and Luis Schaubhut,
Chief of Staff at All Unity, explored the transformative potential of stablecoins and the digital euro in reshaping Europe’s financial landscape. 

With the advent of blockchain technology, stablecoins have emerged as a bridge between traditional finance and the digital economy, offering speed, transparency, and global accessibility. 

The discussion highlighted the current state of stablecoin adoption in Europe, the regulatory framework under MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation), and the strategic importance of the digital euro for European sovereignty.

Stablecoins in Europe: Market trends and regulatory progress

Stablecoins have evolved from niche crypto trading tools to a €250 billion global market, with the majority still denominated in USD. Historically, these digital assets were introduced to simplify crypto trading, replacing Bitcoin as the primary trading pair. Today, over 80%
of all crypto transactions occur against stablecoins like USDC or USDT, reflecting their growing role in the financial ecosystem.

Europe, however, faces a unique challenge: while the euro accounts for 20-30% of global reserves and payments, it represents less than 0.1% of the stablecoin market. This disparity underscores the need for Europe to embrace euro-pegged stablecoins to maintain its financial influence. The MiCA regulation, introduced by the European Commission, provides a harmonized framework for stablecoins and digital assets, fostering trust and institutional adoption. AllUnity’s euro stablecoin, fully regulated under MiCA, marks a significant milestone in this direction.

The Digital Euro and the question of sovereignty

The digital euro and euro-pegged stablecoins are not competitors but complementary tools. While the digital euro is designed for intra-European use, stablecoins extend the euro’s reach globally, enabling instant, low-cost cross-border payments, even in regions like Africa or Latin America, where traditional euro payments are often inaccessible.

Blockchain technology eliminates the need for intermediaries like SWIFT, reducing costs and settlement times. For Europe, this represents an opportunity to reduce dependence on USD-dominated payment systems and assert its financial sovereignty. As Louis emphasized, the goal is not to replace banks but to upgrade financial infrastructure, making the euro as accessible and efficient as digital currencies.

Custody and infrastructure: Building trust in stablecoins

For institutions to adopt stablecoins, secure custody solutions are essential. Regulated custodians like Tangany provide compliant, institutional-grade storage for digital assets, addressing concerns around security, regulatory compliance, and asset segregation. Integration with core banking systems is already underway, with Tangany having completed over 15 bank integrations across Europe.

The technology is ready, but adoption hinges on collaboration between banks, custodians, and fintech innovators. As Martin noted, the infrastructure for stablecoins (wallets, APIs, and governance frameworks) mirrors traditional banking, making the transition smoother than expected.

A euro-centric stablecoin ecosystem?

Europe is uniquely positioned to lead the stablecoin revolution. With MiCA regulation, a 450 million-strong market, and growing institutional interest, the stage is set for the euro to become a dominant force in digital payments. The next few years will be critical in scaling adoption, refining infrastructure, and ensuring interoperability between traditional and blockchain-based systems.

Success will depend on three key pillars:

1. Wallet Infrastructure: Widespread adoption of digital wallets by banks and custodians.

2. On/Off Ramps: Seamless conversion between fiat and stablecoins.

3. Regulatory Alignment: Harmonized rules for cross-border transactions and asset tokenization.

As Louis concluded, the future of stablecoins in Europe is not about replacing existing systems but enhancing them, making payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever before.

Q&A Section

What are the biggest efficiency gains from moving euro payments to blockchain?

The most immediate benefits are speed and cost savings. Traditional cross-border payments, especially via SWIFT, are slow and expensive, often taking days and incurring high fees. Blockchain enables instant settlement 24/7, with transaction costs as low as €0.01, regardless of the amount. For businesses, this means real-time liquidity and the ability to send or receive payments at any time, without delays for weekends or holidays.

Why do institutions trust stablecoin setups long-term?

Trust is built on regulation and security. MiCA provides a clear, EU-wide framework, ensuring that stablecoin issuers and custodians comply with strict standards. Institutions also rely on regulated custodians like Tangany , which offer institutional-grade security, auditability, and compliance with national and EU laws. As Martin explained, regulation acts as a "blueprint" for how stablecoins should operate, giving banks and corporates the confidence to adopt them.

→ Watch the full replay