As Europe seeks to shape its digital currency future, major banks will convene at MERGE Madrid 2026 to strategize on stablecoins and financial infrastructure.
In a bid to establish a foothold in the evolving landscape of digital currency, Europe is actively pursuing initiatives to pave the way for a digital euro. This comes amidst rising competition from the U.S., which is rapidly adopting private stablecoins. The financial institutions across Europe are now mobilizing to ensure they play a pivotal role in this upcoming financial evolution.
A significant player in this arena is Qivalis, a consortium made up of 37 European banks, currently working on a euro-denominated stablecoin that will comply with the Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation. This initiative is designed to offer a 24/7 payments and instant-settlement infrastructure, catering to the demands of an increasingly digital global economy.
Major Banks Confirm Participation
Leading names like BBVA, Cecabank, BNP Paribas, Banca Sella, Raiffeisen Bank, and Piraeus Bank have confirmed their presence at the MERGE Madrid 2026 event, scheduled for October 27-29. This gathering aims to unite the frontrunners in the development of the next generation of financial infrastructure.
This event underscores a wider phenomenon: banks, payment networks, stablecoin issuers, and regulators are all vying for dominance in shaping how money will operate over the next decade. Madrid is set to be a focal point for these discussions this year.
MERGE Madrid 2026 will take place between the iconic Madrid Stock Exchange and the Palacio de Cibeles, expecting to draw over 3,000 attendees and more than 250 international speakers, representing various sectors including financial institutions, regulatory agencies, technology firms, and specialized financial infrastructure companies.
“We are experiencing one of the most significant changes in the history of finance. The question is not if digital assets will be significant, but who will build the infrastructure that will support the economy of the future,” said Paula Pascual, the founder of MERGE.
The Rise of Stablecoins and New Financial Battlegrounds
Stablecoins have emerged as a key innovation within the financial sector. Unlike conventional cryptocurrencies, these digital assets aim to maintain their value relative to fiat currencies like the euro or dollar, facilitating instant, programmable, and cross-border transactions.
The rise of stablecoins has ignited a competitive landscape that includes banks, tech companies, and global payment networks all racing to establish control over the future financial infrastructure. While Europe pursues projects like Qivalis, numerous other initiatives backed by major financial and technology players are also making their moves.
At the heart of the discourse is the crucial question of who will manage this financial infrastructure that will ultimately impact consumers, businesses, and even AI-driven entities in the near future.
Madrid: A Convergence of Traditional Banking and the Digital Economy
MERGE Madrid has solidified its status as a premier international forum for examining the transformation of the financial sector. The upcoming 2026 edition will see participation from heavyweights in the financial world, including BBVA, Santander, Cecabank, Unicaja, Kutxabank, BNP Paribas, Eurobank, Renta 4, Raiffeisen, and Banca Sella, alongside key players in payments and financial infrastructure like Visa, Mastercard, Ripple, Stripe, Circle, and Rain.
Over the course of three days, attendees will engage in dialogues on various topics such as stablecoins, asset tokenization, regulatory frameworks, AI applications in finance, and next-gen payment infrastructures. A substantial focus of these discussions will zero in on how Qivalis and similar regulated stablecoins will contribute to building Europe’s digital economy.
A highlight of MERGE Madrid 2026 will be the MERGE Institutional Summit, set to kick off the event on October 27 at the Madrid Stock Exchange. This exclusive gathering aims to provide a high-level dialogue platform for financial institutions, regulators, payment networks, and corporate giants. It is tailored to foster critical discussions among the key influencers shaping the future of money, digital assets, and global financial infrastructure.
With an invitation-only format, the Institutional Summit has already become a significant venue for strategic discussions regarding the evolution of the financial landscape in both Europe and Latin America.
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