Barclays has announced a strategic investment in Ubyx Inc., a U.S.-based firm developing a global clearing and settlement system for digital money, including tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins. The bank said the partnership represents a step forward in shaping the future of regulated digital finance and broadening the infrastructure supporting tokenized assets.
Barclays deepens digital asset strategy
In a press statement shared via PR Newswire, Barclays confirmed that its investment aligns with its long-term strategy to explore “new forms of digital money.” The specific amount or terms of the investment were not disclosed.
Ryan Hayward, head of digital assets and strategic investments at Barclays, said,
“Interoperability is essential to unlock the full potential of digital assets. 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. We are pleased to be joining Ubyx on their journey as we drive forward our shared ambition to accelerate and shape innovation across our industry.”
Through this investment, Barclays aims to continue its involvement in the development of regulated financial infrastructure that supports blockchain interoperability while remaining compliant with regulatory frameworks in key jurisdictions.
Ubyx builds a unified system for regulated digital money
Founded in early 2025, Ubyx describes itself as a global clearing and settlement system for stablecoins and tokenized deposits. Its platform connects issuers, banks, and fintech platforms through a shared settlement environment. The system enables what Ubyx calls “universal redemption,” allowing individuals and institutions to move tokenized forms of money between wallets and bank accounts at par value.
“Our mission is to build a common globalised acceptance network for regulated digital money, including tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins,” said Tony McLaughlin, CEO of Ubyx. “Bank participation is vital to provide par value redemption through regulated channels. We are entering a world in which every regulated firm offers digital wallets in addition to traditional bank accounts.”
According to the company, its technology facilitates interoperability across multiple networks and token types, maintaining the singleness of money while ensuring compliance with financial regulations.
As Bloomberg reported, Ubyx raised $10 million in seed funding in June 2025, led by Galaxy Ventures, with participation from Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund, and Paxos. The addition of Barclays to its investor base signals increasing institutional confidence in regulated digital money solutions.
Traditional finance shifts toward tokenised settlement
Barclays’ investment in Ubyx reflects a growing movement among global financial institutions toward blockchain-based settlement systems. Several major banks and financial service providers have begun testing or adopting frameworks for tokenized deposits and stablecoins.
The bank’s history with distributed ledger technology dates back to 2018, when it filed several blockchain patent applications and entered into a partnership with Coinbase. In recent years, Barclays has also participated in initiatives such as Fnality, a consortium developing decentralized financial market infrastructures, and the U.K. Regulated Liability Network, which tested tokenized deposit pilots.
In 2025, Barclays joined other major institutions, including Goldman Sachs and UBS, to explore the possibility of issuing joint stablecoins backed by G7 currencies.
While Barclays has restricted speculative cryptocurrency transactions, such as blocking crypto credit card purchases since mid-2025, it has shown sustained interest in regulated digital money models supported by transparent oversight. The bank has consistently positioned itself toward stablecoin innovation and regulated tokenized deposits rather than retail crypto investments.
Responsible innovation within the regulatory perimeter
Both companies emphasized their commitment to developing tokenized money solutions within established regulatory boundaries. Barclays said its partnership with Ubyx focuses on building systems that maintain par value redemption and align with financial sector regulations.
The growing interest in stablecoins and tokenized forms of deposits across global markets aligns with regulatory advances in several regions. These developments have encouraged traditional banks to deepen their involvement in blockchain-enabled settlement processes, moving beyond research toward implementation.
Through this initiative, Barclays aims to ensure that future digital payment ecosystems retain the reliability of bank money while incorporating the efficiency of blockchain networks.
Gunel Ismayilova
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