Stablecore partners with Circuit, Curql on $25B credit union stablecoin initiative

Stablecore has launched an early access stablecoin and digital asset program for U.S. credit unions, allowing participating institutions to test blockchain-based financial services before deciding whether to integrate them into their banking platforms.

The program was announced on Wednesday through a partnership between Stablecore, Circuit, formerly known as Members Development Company, and Curql, a fintech investment collective backed by more than 160 credit unions. 

Stablecore said the initial group includes RBFCU, Stanford Federal Credit Union, and La Capitol Federal Credit Union, with the participating institutions representing about $25 billion in combined assets.

Participating credit unions will be able to evaluate stablecoin payments, tokenized deposits, Bitcoin, crypto on and off ramps, staking, and other digital asset services through Stablecore’s platform before deciding whether to offer those products to members. The company said the products are designed to operate within existing digital banking experiences.

He added that the company is helping credit unions “stay relevant against competitive threats, retain their deposits and continue to be the trusted, primary financial partner for their members” by enabling them to offer digital asset products.

Meanwhile, Ethan Cunningham, chief strategy officer at Circuit, said the program gives participating institutions “a collaborative space” to evaluate stablecoins and digital assets together while learning how the technology could shape financial services without moving away from their member-first approach.

According to Stablecore, the program also includes education for credit union staff and members to support future digital asset adoption. The company added that former FDIC regulator Ben Hailey recently joined as head of risk and compliance to oversee governance, risk, and compliance frameworks for partner institutions.

Stablecore expands banking partnerships

The latest initiative builds on Stablecore’s effort to bring stablecoin and tokenized asset services to financial institutions through existing core banking systems. In February, the company joined the Jack Henry Fintech Integration Network, which provides access to about 1,670 bank and credit union core clients.

Stablecore also expanded its banking partnerships in May after the Tennessee Bankers Association selected the company as a preferred digital asset technology provider for its more than 175 member institutions. The agreement gave member banks access to stablecoin accounts, tokenized deposits, crypto-backed lending, payment acceptance, and digital asset accounts through their existing banking systems.

Colin Barrett, president and CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association, said at the time that customers would benefit from digital asset tools delivered through the “secure and trusted environment of their local bank.”

U.S. credit unions have also begun preparing for potential stablecoin regulation. In February, the National Credit Union Administration proposed a licensing framework that would require payment stablecoin issuers operating through subsidiaries of federally insured credit unions to obtain an NCUA license before issuing stablecoins. 

The proposal focused on licensing and supervisory requirements, while additional rules covering reserves, capital, liquidity, and risk management are expected through future rulemaking.