Coinbase UK chief sees rapid shift toward mainstream stablecoin payments
Analysts increasingly expect stablecoin adoption to accelerate as regulation advances and payment firms race to embed digital assets into familiar consumer experiences worldwide.
Keith Grose, UK CEO of Coinbase, believes the next 12 to 18 months will be decisive. He expects stablecoins to move from a specialist tool for traders and fintech users into standard payment options integrated across everyday transactions.
“We see stablecoins transitioning into mainstream payment rails in the UK and worldwide in 2026,” Grose said. “More consumers are now using stablecoins for seamless everyday payments, without needing to change how they transact.” However, he argues that regulation must keep pace with this demand.
Grose also notes that global investors are increasingly turning to digital-currency alternatives to diversify away from traditional dollar-denominated instruments. Moreover, he views this shift as part of a broader reconfiguration of how money moves across borders and capital markets.
Regulatory race intensifies as UK seeks leadership role
Stablecoin adoption is rising steadily, powered by both consumer utility and mounting institutional interest. That said, Grose points to emerging regulatory frameworks as the decisive catalyst that could determine which financial centers lead the next phase of digital money.
“[The Bank of England‘s] evolving approach to stablecoins is welcome,” he said. “But to secure London‘s place at the heart of the next monetary revolution, more needs to be done.” According to Grose, a competitive, well-regulated stablecoin regime can strengthen financial stability and help the UK not only catch up, but lead.
He argues that if the UK moves too slowly, it risks losing ground to jurisdictions that are already rolling out detailed frameworks. Moreover, this could push innovation, capital and jobs toward rival hubs in the United States, the European Union and Asia.
Stablecoins set for central role in the UK’s 2026 policy agenda
The UK financial watchdog is increasingly positioning stable-linked digital assets as a central component of its digital finance agenda for 2026. This marks its most assertive commitment yet to integrating blockchain-based payments into the mainstream economy.
In a year-end letter to the Prime Minister, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) outlined its achievements in capital markets reform and highlighted the UK’s ambition to build a competitive environment for digital assets. However, the regulator also signalled that much work remains to operationalize these ambitions.
For 2026, the FCA said it will focus on allowing stablecoins to function within everyday payment systems. This focus echoes industry expectations that digital cash instruments will move decisively into mainstream rails and traditional payment infrastructure.
Global momentum builds as US and EU move first
Momentum across major jurisdictions supports the outlook for deeper integration of blockchain-based settlement. In the United States, the GENIUS Act has introduced clearer federal guidelines, giving stablecoin issuers and platforms the regulatory certainty they need to expand.
In the European Union, stablecoin activity surged following the 2024 rollout of MiCA, the landmark Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. Within a year, euro-linked stablecoin market capitalization doubled as adoption spread across fintech platforms, exchanges and on-chain settlement providers.
Dollar-backed stablecoins still dominate globally, surpassing $260 billion in circulation in Q3 2025. However, euro-denominated instruments continue to gain traction, illustrating how the stablecoin market is evolving beyond a single-currency focus.
Grose highlights that EURC alone has driven more than $70 million in transfer volume on Base, Coinbase’s Layer 2 network. He cites this as evidence of stablecoins’ growing role in cross-border payments and digital commerce, particularly for users seeking faster settlement and lower fees.
Coinbase’s strategy for an inclusive digital economy
“At Coinbase, we are committed to continue advancing a digital ecosystem that is increasingly open, innovative and inclusive with stablecoins in the year ahead,” Grose said. Moreover, he framed this mission as part of a broader effort to modernize the global financial system.
With expanding regulatory clarity, rising consumer use and payment providers exploring new digital rails, 2026 could become the year that stablecoin adoption pushes firmly into the financial mainstream. That said, much will depend on whether policymakers align innovation with robust protections for consumers and markets.
As the global payments landscape shifts toward programmable money, the UK, US and EU appear set for a pivotal period. The decisions taken between now and 2026 will likely determine how far stablecoins evolve from niche digital assets into standard instruments of everyday financial life.