Barclays PLC announced a new equity stake in Ubyx, a U.S. stablecoin‑settlement platform, on January 7 2026. The stake size and valuation remain undisclosed, but the move marks Barclays’ first direct investment in a stablecoin‑infrastructure company, signalling a shift toward tokenised money while staying within regulatory boundaries.
Ubyx, founded in 2025, provides a clearing layer that allows different stablecoins to settle and redeem like cash. The company raised a $10 million seed round in June 2025 led by Galaxy Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund, Paxos and VanEck, underscoring its credibility among crypto investors.
Barclays’ decision follows a cautious stance on cryptocurrencies, including a June 2025 ban on crypto purchases on Barclaycard credit cards. The investment aligns with Barclays’ broader strategy, which includes a 2025 consortium of banks exploring a G7‑currency‑pegged stablecoin, and reflects the bank’s intent to gain exposure to the growing stablecoin market without issuing its own tokens.
The investment gives Barclays a foothold in the infrastructure that underpins tokenised money, positioning the bank to benefit from faster, cheaper cross‑border settlements and increased liquidity. By focusing on interoperability, Barclays can offer regulated redemption pathways for stablecoins, a key requirement for institutional adoption.
Ryan Hayward, Head of Digital Assets and Strategic Investments at Barclays, said the partnership would “unlock the full potential of digital assets through specialist technology and infrastructure.” Ubyx CEO Tony McLaughlin added that bank participation is vital to provide par‑value redemption via regulated channels, a prerequisite for mainstream acceptance of tokenised deposits.
While no market‑reaction data is available, the investment is significant for Barclays’ digital‑asset strategy and for the broader trend of traditional banks investing in stablecoin infrastructure rather than issuing their own tokens.
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