Spain has become Europe’s leading retail market for euro-denominated stablecoin payments, according to Brighty data, as consumers use EURC for daily transactions. The digital banking platform said Spain accounted for about 36% of all retail EURC transactions from 2025 through the first quarter of 2026. It also represented nearly 25% of total European transaction volume.
Brighty’s data showed that Spain’s EURC activity leaned toward everyday payments rather than large transfers. The average transaction size stood at 49 euros, or about $57. That figure points to regular consumer use across retail settings. It also suggests that Spanish users treat EURC less like a trading asset and more like a payment tool.
Brighty Co-Founder Nick Denisenko said Spanish users increasingly view EURC as equivalent to traditional euros. He linked that trend to easy use and smooth conversion with USDC, the dollar-pegged stablecoin.
The growth comes as euro-backed stablecoins gain more traction across Europe. CoinGecko data cited in the report placed the total market value of euro-pegged digital assets near $887 million. EURC accounted for about 49% of that market capitalization. That share made it one of the main euro-backed stablecoins in the region.
Spain also showed early adoption of EURC and strong activity in stablecoin-based yield features. At the same time, major Spanish banks showed notable awareness of digital asset services among frontline staff.
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Spain’s lead comes as Europe looks for stronger alternatives to dollar-pegged stablecoins. The shift has gained attention under the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets framework. In April 2026, France’s finance minister urged Europe to develop more euro-denominated stablecoins. He also called on banks to counter the global dominance of U.S. dollar-backed digital assets.
Two months earlier, major European banks announced plans for a euro-denominated stablecoin in the second half of 2026. The planned token would carry full 1:1 euro backing.
Its reserves would include bank deposits and high-quality short-term euro-area sovereign bonds. That structure aims to support liquidity and continuous redemption from launch. Even so, challenges remain for the wider euro stablecoin market. Euro-pegged stablecoins still hold a small market value compared with dollar-pegged tokens such as USDC and USDT.
Merchant adoption also remains in the early stage. For broader use, EURC would need deeper links with point-of-sale systems and online checkout platforms.
Brighty’s data shows that adoption still has some concentration on user-friendly platforms. Wider integration across banks, merchants, and payment providers would shape the next stage of retail growth.
Spain’s lead in EURC stablecoin payments shows rising retail demand for euro-backed digital assets. Brighty data points to strong daily usage, smaller transaction sizes, and growing consumer trust. As MiCA shapes Europe’s stablecoin market, broader merchant integration could define the next phase.