Traditional finance is rapidly integrating stablecoins as an “always-on” payment rail. Barclays’ January 2026 acquisition of a stake in Ubyx, a US startup specializing in stablecoin clearing, highlights this. The strategic investment allows the bank to accept any regulated stablecoin and instantly convert it into a “par value” bank deposit. This aligns with Barclays’ existing participation in a 10-bank consortium, including Goldman Sachs and UBS, exploring a regulated stablecoin pegged to G7