Barclays has acquired a stake in Ubyx, a US-based clearing system for stablecoins and tokenized deposits, marking the British banking giant’s first investment in the digital assets sector.

The strategic investment, announced on January 7, 2026, positions Barclays within the emerging infrastructure layer for digital money as regulatory frameworks advance across major jurisdictions. 

Ubyx, which launched in 2025, operates a clearing system designed to reconcile stablecoins issued by different providers, enabling redemption at par value across multiple blockchains including Ethereum and Solana.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, Reuters reported that Barclays confirmed this represents its first investment in a stablecoin-related company. 

Ubyx previously raised $10 million in seed funding led by Galaxy Ventures, with participation from VanEck, Founders Fund, and Coinbase Ventures.

"As the landscape of tokens, blockchains and wallets evolves, specialist technology will play a pivotal role in delivering connectivity and infrastructure to enable regulated financial institutions to interact seamlessly," said Ryan Hayward, Head of Digital Assets and Strategic Investments at Barclays, in the joint announcement.

Tony McLaughlin, CEO of Ubyx, further emphasized that bank participation is vital for providing regulated redemption channels. 

"We are entering a world in which every regulated firm offers digital wallets in addition to traditional bank accounts," McLaughlin noted.

A Major Milestone for the UK Bank

The investment represents a striking reversal for Barclays, which has historically maintained a cautious stance toward cryptocurrency. 

“This is Barclays' first investment in the crypto space… Major shift for a bank that spent years highlighting crypto risks and restricting crypto-related transactions… Just last June, Barclays blocked crypto purchases on their credit cards.. Now they're backing regulated stablecoin infrastructure… The narrative is shifting fast”, said leading KOL, Lark Davis.

This pivot reflects broader momentum within traditional finance as institutions explore blockchain-based payment infrastructure. 

Barclays joins a growing group of banks, including Goldman Sachs and UBS, that announced plans in October to explore jointly issuing a stablecoin pegged to G7 currencies. Meanwhile, Swiss banks UBS, PostFinance, and Sygnum recently completed proof-of-concept transactions on Ethereum, while Swift is developing its own infrastructure for blockchain settlement.

The timing coincides with renewed institutional interest following regulatory developments and increased political support for digital assets under the Trump administration. For context, the stablecoin market has expanded significantly, with Tether leading at $187 billion in circulation at time of writing.

Sources

• Barclays & Ubyx: Barclays Invests in Ubyx to Advance Digital Money Connectivity
• CoinDesk: Barclays invests in stablecoin settlement firm as tokenized infrastructure advances
• Reuters: Barclays buys into stablecoin-settlement company Ubyx

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