Barclays(US:BCS) Benzinga·2026-01-07 08:02Core Viewpoint - Barclays PLC has made its first investment in the stablecoin sector by acquiring a stake in Ubyx, aiming to explore new forms of digital money [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Details - Barclays has invested in Ubyx as part of its strategy to delve into stablecoin-related ventures, although specific investment details and valuation remain undisclosed [2]. - The collaboration with Ubyx will focus on developing "tokenised money within the regulatory perimeter" [2]. Group 2: Ubyx Overview - Ubyx, established in 2025, operates a clearing system that allows users to deposit stablecoins from various issuers and currencies into traditional bank or fintech accounts for redemption [3]. Group 3: Barclays' History in Digital Currency - This investment marks Barclays' continued interest in digital currencies, following its 2015 decision to become the first major UK bank to accept Bitcoin [4]. - The bank has recognized blockchain technology as a potentially transformative system for traditional banking [4]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Following the news of the investment, Barclays shares increased by 0.95% in after-hours trading, after a regular session decline of 0.27%, closing at $26.25 [5]. - Over the past year, Barclays' stock has nearly doubled in value, indicating strong momentum [5].