As Europe prepares for sweeping cryptocurrency regulations, Dutch fintech firm Quantoz has announced the launch of EURQ and USDQ, stablecoins pegged to the euro and U.S. dollar, respectively. Backed by Kraken, Tether, and Fabric Ventures, Quantoz aims to capture a share of the European stablecoin market amid growing demand for regulatory-compliant digital assets.
Regulatory Readiness and Launch Details
Quantoz’s stablecoins will be issued on the Ethereum blockchain and fully backed by fiat reserves and liquid financial instruments such as government bonds. The firm holds an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) license from the Dutch Central Bank, allowing it to comply with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework.
Starting Thursday, EURQ and USDQ will be listed on major exchanges Bitfinex and Kraken, enabling eligible users to trade the tokens.
Filling a Gap in Europe’s Stablecoin Market
The launch comes at a critical moment for the European stablecoin ecosystem, valued globally at $180 billion. MiCA regulations, which take full effect by the end of 2024, require issuers to meet strict compliance standards or risk being delisted from the region’s exchanges.
“There’s a gap in the stablecoin market here in Europe, and we see that as an opportunity,” said Arnoud Star Busmann, CEO of Quantoz Payments. “We are confident that our tech and regulatory compliance put us in a strong position, especially with partners like Kraken and Tether.”
Stablecoins: A Key Digital Asset
Stablecoins have become essential in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, offering liquidity for trading and enabling faster, cheaper payments compared to traditional banking systems. They are particularly impactful in areas where banking infrastructure is limited, such as high-volume, low-value transactions or cross-border remittances.
Busmann emphasized the utility of stablecoins for business treasury management. “Tokenized assets combined with stablecoins can offer near-instantaneous settlement, unlike traditional systems that take one to two days,” he said.
Broader Vision: Tokenization and Innovation
In addition to stablecoins, Quantoz is exploring the tokenization of financial instruments, including bonds. This approach could streamline complex financial transactions and improve efficiency for businesses and institutions.
“We are building an ecosystem that supports a wide range of use cases, from everyday payments to advanced financial operations,” Busmann added.
Rising Competition Under MiCA
Quantoz faces stiff competition as the EU’s MiCA rules reshape the market. While U.S.-based Circle has already declared compliance for its $36 billion USDC stablecoin, Tether has expressed criticism of the regulations and is yet to secure licensing.
With MiCA deadlines looming, Quantoz’s compliance-first approach positions it as a potential leader in Europe’s evolving stablecoin landscape.
