Core Insights - A consortium of ten major European banks is set to launch a euro-backed stablecoin by mid-2026 to challenge U.S. dollar dominance in the global stablecoin market, which exceeds $300 billion [1][2] - The initiative is a response to European regulators' concerns over the reliance on dollar-denominated tokens, which constitute 99.58% of the market, while euro-pegged alternatives are minimal, with only $649 million in circulation [2] Group 1: Consortium Formation and Leadership - The consortium includes BNP Paribas, ING, UniCredit, CaixaBank, Danske Bank, SEB, Raiffeisen Bank International, Banca Sella, KBC, and DekaBank, and operates through a newly established entity named Qivalis based in Amsterdam [1] - Qivalis has appointed Jan-Oliver Sell as CEO and Floris Lugt as CFO, with Sir Howard Davies as the chair of the Supervisory Board, all pending regulatory approval [3] Group 2: Regulatory and Strategic Implications - The consortium has applied for an electronic money institution license with the Dutch Central Bank, marking a significant step towards regulatory compliance and commercial launch [4] - The initiative aims to enhance monetary autonomy in the digital age and is open to additional banks joining to foster broader industry participation [5] Group 3: Systemic Risks and Market Concerns - The initiative follows warnings from European financial authorities regarding systemic risks associated with dollar-backed stablecoins, with concerns that rapid growth could impact European Central Bank monetary policy [6] - Dutch central bank governor Olaf Sleijpen highlighted that if U.S. stablecoins continue to grow at their current pace, they may become systemically relevant, creating uncertainty for central bank responses [7]