MERGE Madrid 2026, an institutional blockchain and Web3 conference, will convene major European banks including BBVA, Cecabank, BNP Paribas, Banca Sella, Raiffeisen Bank, and Piraeus Bank from October 27 to 29, 2026, in the Spanish capital to discuss regional digital asset strategies. The event will focus on the Qivalis consortium, an alliance of 37 European financial entities developing a euro-pegged stablecoin compliant with the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation, reflecting a strategic effort by European banks to ensure regional sovereignty in digital currency rather than ceding dominance to dollar-backed alternatives. This initiative highlights a broader industry competition among traditional banks, payment processors, and regulatory authorities to dictate the trajectory of digital money infrastructure.
Qivalis Consortium Develops Euro-Pegged Stablecoin Under MiCA Regulation
A focal point of the event will be the Qivalis consortium, an alliance of 37 European financial entities developing a euro-pegged stablecoin compliant with the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation. This initiative seeks to establish a continuous instant settlement network tailored for the global economy. Paula Pascual, founder of MERGE, stated, "We are living through one of the greatest changes in the recent history of finance. The conversation is no longer about whether digital assets will play a relevant role, but about who will build the infrastructure that will move the money of the future. At MERGE, we are going to bring together many of the players leading that transformation — from banks and regulators to technology companies and global payment networks."
MERGE Madrid 2026 Expects Over 3,000 Participants Across Two Venues
The conference will utilize the Palacio de Cibeles and the Madrid Stock Exchange as venues, expecting over 3,000 participants and 250 global speakers. The agenda will cover asset tokenization, regulatory frameworks, artificial intelligence integration, and the proliferation of stablecoins, which offer programmable cross-border transaction capabilities. Alongside the aforementioned banks, major firms such as Santander, Unicaja, Kutxabank, Eurobank, Renta 4, Visa, Mastercard, Ripple, Stripe, Circle, and Rain are slated to participate. The proceedings will commence with the MERGE Institutional Summit on October 27 at the Madrid Stock Exchange, operating as an exclusive, invitation-only forum designed to facilitate strategic discussions among top executives and policymakers regarding the evolution of financial markets across Europe and Latin America.
FAQ
What is the Qivalis consortium developing for European digital currency?
The Qivalis consortium, an alliance of 37 European financial entities, is developing a euro-pegged stablecoin compliant with the Markets in Crypto-Assets regulation to establish a continuous instant settlement network tailored for the global economy.
When and where will MERGE Madrid 2026 take place?
MERGE Madrid 2026 is scheduled to take place from October 27 to 29, 2026, at the Palacio de Cibeles and the Madrid Stock Exchange in the Spanish capital, expecting over 3,000 participants and 250 global speakers.
