France Calls for Euro Stablecoins to Rival Dollar Assets
French Finance Minister Roland Lescure called for faster development of euro-denominated stablecoins at a crypto conference in Paris on 17 April 2026. A stablecoin is a digital token whose value is fixed to a traditional currency, such as the euro or US dollar. Lescure delivered his remarks in a prerecorded video. He said the current scale of euro stablecoins is insufficient compared with dollar-linked alternatives.
"That is what we need and that is what we want.", 17 April 2026. — Roland Lescure, Finance Minister, Government of France
Bank consortium targets H2 2026 launchA consortium of European banks, including ING, UniCredit, and BNP Paribas, plans to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The group operates under the name Qivalis. Lescure publicly endorsed the initiative at the Paris conference. The launch has not yet occurred and remains a forward-looking plan.
Dollar stablecoins hold commanding market leadUS dollar-pegged stablecoins dominate the global market. Tether's USDT token holds a market capitalisation of approximately $184–187 billion as of April 2026. Circle's USDC token stands at approximately $77.4–77.5 billion as of April 2026. Industry data estimates combined dollar-pegged stablecoin supply above $300 billion as of April 2026.
Euro stablecoin market remains under one billionThe total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France "That is what we need and that is what we want.", 17 April 2026. — Roland Lescure, Finance Minister, Government of France
Bank consortium targets H2 2026 launchA consortium of European banks, including ING, UniCredit, and BNP Paribas, plans to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The group operates under the name Qivalis. Lescure publicly endorsed the initiative at the Paris conference. The launch has not yet occurred and remains a forward-looking plan.
Dollar stablecoins hold commanding market leadUS dollar-pegged stablecoins dominate the global market. Tether's USDT token holds a market capitalisation of approximately $184–187 billion as of April 2026. Circle's USDC token stands at approximately $77.4–77.5 billion as of April 2026. Industry data estimates combined dollar-pegged stablecoin supply above $300 billion as of April 2026.
Euro stablecoin market remains under one billionThe total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France Bank consortium targets H2 2026 launchA consortium of European banks, including ING, UniCredit, and BNP Paribas, plans to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The group operates under the name Qivalis. Lescure publicly endorsed the initiative at the Paris conference. The launch has not yet occurred and remains a forward-looking plan.
Dollar stablecoins hold commanding market leadUS dollar-pegged stablecoins dominate the global market. Tether's USDT token holds a market capitalisation of approximately $184–187 billion as of April 2026. Circle's USDC token stands at approximately $77.4–77.5 billion as of April 2026. Industry data estimates combined dollar-pegged stablecoin supply above $300 billion as of April 2026.
Euro stablecoin market remains under one billionThe total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France A consortium of European banks, including ING, UniCredit, and BNP Paribas, plans to launch a euro-pegged stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The group operates under the name Qivalis. Lescure publicly endorsed the initiative at the Paris conference. The launch has not yet occurred and remains a forward-looking plan.
Dollar stablecoins hold commanding market leadUS dollar-pegged stablecoins dominate the global market. Tether's USDT token holds a market capitalisation of approximately $184–187 billion as of April 2026. Circle's USDC token stands at approximately $77.4–77.5 billion as of April 2026. Industry data estimates combined dollar-pegged stablecoin supply above $300 billion as of April 2026.
Euro stablecoin market remains under one billionThe total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France US dollar-pegged stablecoins dominate the global market. Tether's USDT token holds a market capitalisation of approximately $184–187 billion as of April 2026. Circle's USDC token stands at approximately $77.4–77.5 billion as of April 2026. Industry data estimates combined dollar-pegged stablecoin supply above $300 billion as of April 2026.
Euro stablecoin market remains under one billionThe total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France The total market capitalisation of euro-denominated stablecoins reached approximately $912 million as of April 2026. The three largest euro stablecoins are EURC, EURS, and EURCV. EURC alone accounts for roughly $429–461 million of that total. Each token operates at a fraction of the scale seen in dollar markets.
Banque de France calls for stricter MiCA rulesThe Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France The Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, known as MiCA, is the European Union's legal framework for digital asset issuance. It entered into force in 2024–2025. Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor of the Banque de France, stated at a Eurofi seminar in Nicosia on 26 March 2026 that MiCA requires strengthening. He specifically targeted non-euro stablecoins used in everyday payments.
"We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France "We are pressing for a strengthening of MiCA, particularly to restrict the use of stablecoins for everyday payments, all the more when they are backed by a currency other than the euro.", 26 March 2026. — Denis Beau, First Deputy Governor, Banque de France Cryptocurrencies are highly volatile and involve significant risk. You may lose part or all of your investment. All information on Coinpaprika is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice. Always conduct your own research (DYOR) and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Coinpaprika is not liable for any losses resulting from the use of this information.