ClearBank Europe has secured approval to operate as a crypto-asset service provider (CASP) under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation. The bank notified the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (AFM) of its plans, making it the first Dutch credit institution to receive clearance under the new framework.
The approval allows the bank to offer digital asset services without seeking a new license. ClearBank plans to connect clients to Circle Internet’s Mint platform, providing access to the EURC and USDC stablecoins.
Through this integration, clients can convert between fiat currencies and stablecoins within a regulated clearing environment. The setup links traditional banking infrastructure with blockchain networks to accelerate settlement times and streamline cross-border payments.
Bridging traditional and digital finance
ClearBank Europe currently manages over $13 billion in assets under management and serves more than 270 institutional clients. The bank's expansion into digital assets is part of a broader strategy to unify legacy banking systems with digital asset markets across Europe and the U.K.
“Becoming a crypto-asset service provider under MiCAR enables us to bring digital asset capabilities into a regulated clearing environment for the first time, putting us at the forefront of this new era of digital clearing,” said Tristan Kirchner, CEO of ClearBank Europe.
The move follows ClearBank's January decision to engage digital asset infrastructure provider Taurus to support its stablecoin-related services. The bank is also part of the Circle Payment Network, which utilizes blockchain rails for near-instant global value transfers.
In the United Kingdom, ClearBank is pursuing similar digital asset objectives through a partnership with Coinbase. The bank's latest rollout in the Netherlands represents its first step into digital clearing operations within the European market.
