French banking powerhouse ODDO BHF has made its official debut in the cryptocurrency market with the launch of EUROD, a new euro-backed stablecoin. The 175-year-old institution, which oversees more than €150 billion ($173 billion) in assets, is positioning EUROD as a regulated and secure digital representation of the euro, marking a major shift for one of Europe’s oldest financial players.
For ODDO BHF, traditionally known for private wealth management and investment banking, the move signifies how conventional finance is increasingly merging with blockchain technology. By launching EUROD, the bank joins a growing list of European financial institutions experimenting with digital currencies under the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework, which sets out clear rules for stablecoin issuance and operation.
EUROD will make its first appearance on Bit2Me, a Madrid-based crypto exchange widely regarded as one of the leading platforms in the Spanish-speaking world. Bit2Me, which is backed by Telefónica and major banks like Unicaja and BBVA, has established itself as a trusted bridge between traditional finance and crypto markets. The exchange recently raised about €30 million ($35 million) in a funding round led by Tether, the company behind the world’s largest stablecoin.
Bit2Me CEO Leif Ferreira described the listing of EUROD as “another important step” in promoting transparency and trust within the crypto industry. He emphasised that regulated, euro-backed tokens like EUROD give users and institutions confidence that digital assets can operate safely within Europe’s evolving financial landscape.
In a joint statement, ODDO BHF and Bit2Me said EUROD was designed as a low-volatility digital token backed one-to-one by euro reserves, aligning with MiCA’s strict compliance standards. The goal is to offer users and institutions a stable, regulated, and easily transferable alternative to traditional bank transactions—one that maintains the reliability of fiat currency while taking advantage of blockchain’s speed and efficiency.
The timing of the launch is particularly significant. European banks are increasingly entering the stablecoin market as demand for digital euros rises. Société Générale–FORGE’s EURCV and a new consortium-led euro stablecoin backed by nine major banks—including ING, Banca Sella, Danske Bank, DekaBank, and CaixaBank—show that the race to establish a dominant euro-pegged token is heating up.
While the global stablecoin market remains dominated by dollar-pegged tokens like USDT and USDC, EUROD’s arrival underscores Europe’s determination to carve out a strong, regulated presence in the space. For ODDO BHF, this initiative not only diversifies its portfolio but also signals a broader trend: traditional banking institutions are no longer watching crypto from the sidelines—they’re building it into their future.
