Barclays Steps into Stablecoins: A New Era for Regulated Digital Assets

Barclays Makes Strategic Move Into Stablecoin Infrastructure With Ubyx Investment

Barclays, a cornerstone of the global banking system, has officially marked its entry into the regulated digital currency space by investing in Ubyx, a U.S.-based stablecoin clearing platform. This move signals a significant pivot for the British financial giant as it begins to embrace the infrastructure powering tokenized financial services and regulated digital assets.

Ubyx serves as a critical bridge, designed to connect regulated stablecoin issuers with traditional banks and fintech entities. By facilitating this connection, the platform aims to streamline how institutional finance interacts with blockchain-based liquidity. While the exact financial terms of the deal remain confidential, the investment underscores the bank’s commitment to evolving alongside the digital asset landscape.

Building the Future of Tokenized Money

The investment in Ubyx follows a successful $10 million seed funding round for the startup in mid-2025, which saw participation from major industry players like Galaxy and Coinbase. Founded by payment industry veteran Tony McLaughlin—formerly of Citi—Ubyx is built on the philosophy of “tokenized money maximalism.” McLaughlin envisions a future where digital wallets are as ubiquitous and essential for regulated firms as traditional bank accounts are today.

The Ubyx platform is engineered to support a wide array of regulated digital money, including tokenized deposits and stablecoins from prominent issuers like Ripple, Paxos, and AllUnity. By creating a globalized acceptance network, the platform intends to standardize how these assets move through the traditional financial pipes, ensuring compliance and efficiency at every step.

A Shift in Institutional Perspective

For Barclays, this partnership represents a notable evolution in its stance toward the broader crypto ecosystem. In the past, the bank maintained a cautious distance, even implementing restrictions on certain cryptocurrency transactions due to volatility concerns. However, the focus has now shifted toward the utility of regulated stablecoins and the underlying technology that enables seamless connectivity between traditional and decentralized ledgers.

According to leadership at Barclays’ digital assets division, specialized infrastructure is now a priority. As blockchains and digital wallets become more sophisticated, the bank views these investments as essential steps toward providing the connectivity required for traditional institutions to operate in a modern, tokenized economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ubyx and how does it work?

Ubyx is a U.S.-based stablecoin clearing platform that acts as a bridge between regulated stablecoin issuers and traditional financial institutions. The platform facilitates the movement of tokenized deposits and stablecoins from issuers like Ripple, Paxos, and AllUnity, creating a standardized network that ensures compliance and efficiency in how digital assets interact with traditional banking infrastructure.

Why is Barclays investing in stablecoin infrastructure now?

Barclays is shifting its strategy from cautious observation to active participation in the regulated digital asset space. The bank recognizes that specialized infrastructure for blockchain-based assets is becoming essential as tokenized financial services mature. This investment reflects Barclays’ commitment to providing the connectivity traditional institutions need to operate effectively in an increasingly tokenized global economy.

Who else has invested in Ubyx?

Ubyx raised $10 million in seed funding in mid-2025 from major cryptocurrency and financial technology players including Galaxy and Coinbase. The company was founded by Tony McLaughlin, a payment industry veteran who previously worked at Citi. Barclays’ investment follows this successful seed round and adds significant traditional banking credibility to Ubyx’s growing list of institutional backers.