In a strategic move into digital assets, ClearBank is deepening its payments ambitions through a new collaboration branded under the clearbank taurus partnership for scalable, regulated stablecoin services.
ClearBank selects Taurus for digital asset infrastructure
ClearBank has appointed digital asset specialist Taurus as its core wallet infrastructure provider as it ramps up stablecoin-related products, according to a press release issued on Tuesday. The U.K.-based clearing bank said the agreement will underpin a broader push into digital assets and blockchain-based payments for its clients.
Under the deal, ClearBank will deploy Taurus PROTECT as its main wallet infrastructure. The platform is designed to support secure, scalable and compliant digital asset services, giving the bank institutional-grade tools to store and manage tokenized value. Moreover, the bank aims to leverage this setup to accelerate product rollout for regulated customers.
The partnership sits at the center of ClearBank’s wider digital asset strategy, with an initial emphasis on stablecoin use cases. However, the parties also signal that the infrastructure could later extend to additional tokenized assets and new payment flows as regulation evolves.
Stablecoins as the backbone of new payment rails
Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to underlying assets such as fiat currencies or gold, now anchor a large share of the global crypto economy. They function as payment rails and provide a relatively stable unit of account for moving money across borders and between exchanges.
Market leaders like Tether’s USDT and Circle’s USDC dominate this segment. The total stablecoin market capitalization climbed beyond the $300 billion threshold in 2025, representing roughly 50% year-over-year growth. That expansion has been fueled by rising institutional adoption of major tokens and clearer rules, including the U.S. GENIUS Act, which encourages regulated entities to participate.
That said, banks and payment institutions increasingly see stablecoins as a way to combine traditional financial safeguards with faster, programmable settlement. ClearBank’s latest move illustrates how regulated entities are positioning themselves at the intersection of these two systems.
Integration with Circle Mint and MiCAR-compliant stablecoins
As part of the integration, ClearBank will gain access to Taurus-PROTECT connectivity with Circle Mint, Circle’s platform for minting and redeeming regulated stablecoins. Through this connection, the bank will be able to support MiCAR-compliant USDC and EURC, aligning its offering with the European Union’s new digital asset framework.
Moreover, this technical link allows ClearBank to plug directly into Circle’s infrastructure while retaining full control over custody and wallet operations. The ability to issue and redeem tokens on demand is expected to be critical for serving institutional customers that require predictable liquidity and transparent on-chain settlement.
The integration also complements ClearBank’s previously announced plans to join the Circle Payment Network. That network is designed to enable near-instant value transfers using blockchain-based rails, connecting banks, fintechs and other financial institutions around the world.
Use cases: from corporate payments to international remittances
ClearBank said combining its traditional payment infrastructure with regulated stablecoin technology could significantly improve efficiency and reduce transaction costs. In particular, the bank is targeting use cases such as corporate payments and international remittances, where settlement speed and FX friction remain pain points for many clients.
However, the bank also sees potential in more advanced applications, including programmable payouts, on-chain treasury management and tokenized asset settlement. In this context, the clearbank taurus collaboration is framed as a foundation for future products rather than a one-off technology upgrade.
By leveraging existing clearing capabilities together with stablecoin-based rails, ClearBank aims to offer end users near-real-time settlement while preserving compliance with relevant regulations. That approach may appeal to fintech platforms and institutions looking to bridge conventional accounts with blockchain-native liquidity.
Taurus-PROTECT and Strategy for financial institutions
Taurus-PROTECT forms part of Taurus’s broader digital asset platform tailored for banks and regulated financial institutions. The infrastructure supports custody and lifecycle management of cryptocurrencies, tokenized assets and other digital instruments across multiple regulatory and operational models.
Moreover, Taurus provides tools for governance, key management and integration with core banking systems, helping institutions embed digital assets within existing processes. This modular design is intended to let firms adopt stablecoins and tokenization at their own pace, while maintaining security and regulatory alignment.
Commenting on the announcement, ClearBank CEO Mark Fairless said the partnership gives the bank the digital asset capabilities it needs as it introduces new services and helps shape the future of payments. That statement underscores ClearBank’s intention to position itself as a key infrastructure provider in the evolving digital money landscape.
In summary, ClearBank’s partnership with Taurus, its planned participation in Circle’s network and its focus on MiCAR-compliant stablecoins highlight how regulated institutions are building new payment rails on top of established banking infrastructure to deliver faster, cheaper and more programmable value transfer.
Source: https://en.cryptonomist.ch/2026/01/13/clearbank-taurus-stablecoins/
