MERGE Madrid 2026 to Spotlight Euro Stablecoins, Digital Payments, and Asset Tokenization
MERGE Madrid 2026 will take place from October 27 to 29, bringing together representatives from traditional banking, fintech, digital assets, and payments to discuss the evolving role of stablecoins and blockchain technology in global financial services.
The event is expected to attract more than 3,000 attendees and 250 international speakers. Santander, BBVA, Trade Republic, Western Union, Mastercard, Ripple, and Qivalis are among the organizations expected to participate in discussions covering digital currencies, cross-border payments, asset tokenization, and the development of next-generation financial infrastructure.
The conference comes as financial institutions increasingly explore blockchain-based payment systems and tokenized assets. Euro- and dollar-denominated stablecoins are expected to feature prominently, alongside questions surrounding regulation, reserve management, consumer protection, and the integration of digital assets into existing financial services.
Banks and Payment Providers Explore Stablecoin Strategies
One of the central topics at MERGE Madrid will be the development of regulated stablecoins and their potential role in European and international payments.
Qivalis, an alliance involving 37 financial institutions across 15 European countries, is working to develop a euro-denominated stablecoin. Participating institutions include BBVA, Banca Sella, BNP Paribas, CaixaBank, Cecabank, Intesa Sanpaolo, Kutxabank, Piraeus Bank, Raiffeisen Bank, and Bankinter.
The initiative aims to support faster payments and transfers, continuous transaction availability, and digital asset settlement within a regulated framework. A commercial launch is planned for the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory authorization.
Santander will also discuss an initiative it is exploring alongside Bank of America, Barclays, BNP Paribas, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, MUFG, TD Bank, and UBS. The project examines the potential issuance of digital currencies backed one-to-one by reserves and accessible through public blockchain networks, with a focus on currencies pegged to G7 fiat currencies.
These initiatives reflect growing interest among established financial institutions in developing shared standards for digital money while addressing regulatory and operational requirements.
Trade Republic and Western Union Focus on Practical Applications
Beyond banking infrastructure, MERGE Madrid will examine how digital assets can be integrated into consumer-facing financial services.
Trade Republic will contribute its perspective on retail investment, digital asset access, and the role of investment platforms in making emerging financial products more accessible to European consumers.
Western Union is expected to discuss USDPT, its dollar-denominated stablecoin issued by Anchorage Digital Bank and built on the Solana blockchain. The company is integrating the asset into its Digital Asset Network to connect blockchain-based money with its established international transfer infrastructure.
The initiative is intended to support applications involving digital transfers, payments, and local currency conversions across Western Union’s global network.
Together, these approaches illustrate how stablecoins may be incorporated into existing financial systems, rather than operating exclusively within cryptocurrency markets.
“For the first time, banks, fintechs, and major payment providers aren’t gathering to debate whether stablecoins have a place in the financial system, but rather to explain how they are building and integrating them and which specific problems they intend to solve,” said Paula Pascual, founder of MERGE.
Pascual added that the event would provide an opportunity to compare different approaches and examine how digital money could develop across Europe and Latin America.
Regulation and Monetary Sovereignty Remain Key Issues
The growing interest in stablecoins comes amid changes in the regulatory environment and continued debate over the future of European payments.
The European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework has established rules for issuing and offering certain crypto-assets, including specific requirements for relevant stablecoin issuers. Meanwhile, the international growth of US dollar-linked stablecoins has prompted discussions about monetary sovereignty and Europe’s ability to develop competitive payment infrastructure denominated in euros.
For financial institutions, blockchain-based currencies may offer opportunities to facilitate cross-border transfers, enable programmable payments, support transactions outside traditional banking hours, and streamline the settlement of tokenized assets.
Payment companies and remittance providers are also exploring ways to reduce intermediaries and connect digital currencies with merchants, bank accounts, and cash collection services.
However, wider adoption will depend on more than technical capabilities. Discussions at MERGE Madrid will address issuer responsibilities, reserve safeguards, consumer protection, the relationship between stablecoins and traditional bank deposits, and the potential role of the digital euro.
Three Days of Discussions in Madrid
MERGE Madrid 2026 will take place across two prominent venues in the Spanish capital.
The event will open on Tuesday, October 27, at the Madrid Stock Exchange with an Institutional Summit for bankers, investors, regulators, and industry leaders, followed by a private VIP networking reception.
The main conference will run on October 28 and 29 at Cibeles Palace, featuring keynote presentations and breakout sessions focused on financial services, digital assets, and emerging technologies.
Confirmed participants include Coty de Monteverde, Global Head of Crypto & Digital Assets at Banco Santander, and Francisco Maroto, Head of Blockchain and Digital Assets at BBVA, alongside representatives from Trade Republic, Western Union, Qivalis, Mastercard, Ripple, and other companies.
The agenda will extend beyond stablecoins and payments to cover asset tokenization, custody, regulation, capital markets, Bitcoin, artificial intelligence in finance, and blockchain infrastructure.
By bringing together established financial institutions and digital asset companies, MERGE Madrid aims to facilitate discussions on how traditional finance and blockchain-based services can work together as the industry evolves.
About MERGE
MERGE is an institutional platform focused on digital assets, blockchain, and Web3, connecting Europe and Latin America. Through events in Madrid, Buenos Aires, and São Paulo, it brings together banks, regulators, corporations, investors, fintech companies, startups, and Web3 industry participants to encourage collaboration and develop new business models.
For more information, the full agenda, and tickets, visit the official MERGE Madrid 2026 website.
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Ana O. is an editor at MPost, where she focuses on reshaping content across a wide spectrum of topics. With an eye for detail and a genuine interest in storytelling, she helps ensure that the content is both accurate and engaging. Her experience spans multiple areas, providing her with the knowledge to offer insightful contributions to various topics highlighted on the platform.
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Ana O. is an editor at MPost, where she focuses on reshaping content across a wide spectrum of topics. With an eye for detail and a genuine interest in storytelling, she helps ensure that the content is both accurate and engaging. Her experience spans multiple areas, providing her with the knowledge to offer insightful contributions to various topics highlighted on the platform.
