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France’s Finance Minister Backs Euro Stablecoins, Urges Push on Tokenized Deposits

His remarks signal political support for a bank consortium aiming to launch a MiCA‑compliant euro token in the second half of 2026.

Overview

  • Lescure, speaking Friday in pre‑recorded comments at a Paris crypto event, said Europe needs more euro‑based stablecoins and pressed banks to explore tokenized deposits.
  • He explicitly endorsed Qivalis, a consortium that includes ING, UniCredit, BBVA and BNP Paribas, which is working toward a euro‑pegged coin targeted for the second half of 2026 under EU rules.
  • He called the small scale of euro coins versus dollar tokens not satisfactory, with Tether reporting more than $185 billion outstanding while Société Générale’s euro coin sits near €107 million.
  • He voiced support for the European Central Bank’s plan to put a digital euro at the center of tokenization, calling that approach the right balance.
  • Adoption remains a hurdle as two‑thirds of European banks surveyed by RBC Capital Markets reported limited customer demand, making regulatory approvals and real‑world use the next milestones to watch.