BBVA Swiss Branch Rolls Out USDC for Institutional Investors

BBVA, the renowned Spanish multinational bank, is enhancing its offerings for institutional clients by introducing Circle’s USDC stablecoin through its Swiss branch. This move represents a notable shift in how traditional banks embrace digital assets, highlighting a growing trend toward blockchain technology within the financial sector.

The introduction of USDC to BBVA’s platform in Switzerland marks a pivotal moment for the bank’s institutional and private banking clients. These clients can now manage USDC alongside traditional investments on the same platform. 

This development allows for more streamlined transactions, as clients can exchange, custody, and convert USDC into various currencies, including euros and U.S. dollars. Consequently, transactions are completed more quickly, enhancing overall efficiency.

BBVA’s initiative is expected to benefit investment fund managers significantly. These clients often use stablecoins to facilitate cryptocurrency trades across multiple exchanges. By integrating USDC into its platform, BBVA aims to meet its clients’ evolving needs and ensure they have the tools necessary for efficient asset management and transaction execution.

The introduction of USDC follows BBVA’s strategic migration to Metaco’s Harmonize platform in 2023. This blockchain infrastructure, owned by Ripple, enables BBVA to connect with various blockchain networks, streamlining transactions and expanding its digital asset offerings. This platform’s integration is part of BBVA’s broader strategy to enhance its digital solutions and adapt to the growing demand for blockchain technology in financial services.

In addition to its Swiss branch, BBVA’s subsidiary in Türkiye, Garanti BBVA Digital Assets, also supports cryptocurrency trading, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Avalanche. This broader reach underscores BBVA’s commitment to embracing digital assets and providing a comprehensive suite of services to its clients worldwide.

While BBVA’s support for USDC marks a significant step forward, whether the bank will support USDC across all networks, including Coinbase’s Base layer-2 solution, remains unclear. However, Philippe Meyer, BBVA Switzerland’s head of digital solutions and blockchain, emphasizes that the bank will continue to assess and expand its offerings based on client needs.