Barclays Targets Stablecoin Infrastructure as Banks Move Onchain

Barclays has made its first investment linked directly to stablecoins, signaling a shift in how traditional banks are approaching tokenized money.

The UK-based lender confirmed on Wednesday that it has invested in Ubyx, a U.S. firm focused on building clearing and settlement infrastructure for regulated stablecoins. While the size of the investment was not disclosed, the move marks a notable departure from Barclays’ historically conservative stance toward crypto-related activity.

According to Ryan Hayward, head of digital assets and strategic investments at Barclays, the bank sees infrastructure — not tokens themselves — as the critical layer in the evolving digital money landscape. As blockchains, wallets, and tokenized assets proliferate, regulated institutions will require specialized technology to operate across them securely and efficiently.

Betting on infrastructure, not speculation

Ubyx is positioning itself as that connective layer. Founded in early 2025 by payments industry veteran Tony McLaughlin, the platform aims to create a global acceptance network for regulated digital money, spanning both stablecoins and tokenized bank deposits. McLaughlin, who spent more than two decades at Citi, has argued that digital wallets will increasingly sit alongside — and eventually rival — traditional bank accounts.

The startup raised $10 million in seed funding in mid-2025, attracting backing from the venture arms of Galaxy and Coinbase. Ubyx has also lined up partnerships with several major industry players, including Ripple and Paxos, alongside AllUnity and Eurodollar, underscoring its institutional ambitions.

For Barclays, the investment reflects a clear distinction between volatile crypto markets and regulated digital money rails. The bank previously restricted certain crypto-related activities and announced in 2025 that it would block cryptocurrency purchases on Barclaycard credit cards due to volatility concerns.

By supporting stablecoin infrastructure rather than trading or issuance, Barclays appears to be positioning itself for a future where tokenized payments are integrated into mainstream finance — without embracing speculative exposure. It’s a subtle but important recalibration that highlights how global banks are selectively engaging with digital assets on their own terms.

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