French Finance Minister backs euro‑pegged Qivalis stablecoin for 2026 launch

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said he supports a euro‑pegged stablecoin, the Qivalis token, targeting a launch in the second half of 2026.

The move matters because it seeks to curb Europe’s dependence on U.S. dollar‑backed digital tokens and the associated payment rails, a strategic shift toward greater monetary sovereignty.

The Qivalis initiative is organized by a consortium of 12 European banks^[1]. The group will pool liquidity and compliance resources to issue a token that mirrors the euro’s value.

The minister said the stablecoin should be ready for users by the second half of 2026^[1]. CoinTelegraph said the project was launched in 2025^[2]; however, higher‑trust sources place the public rollout in 2026, and the earlier date is treated as an internal milestone rather than a market launch.

Lescure said at a finance‑industry gathering in Paris, addressing senior bankers and regulators—an audience he said should accelerate development of the euro‑stablecoin.

He said Europe must reduce reliance on U.S. digital‑payment infrastructure and give consumers a dollar‑free alternative for cross‑border transactions.

If successful, the Qivalis token could reshape the European payments landscape, prompting regulators to craft rules for stablecoins that sit alongside traditional banking services.

**What this means** Europe’s push for a home‑grown stablecoin reflects a broader trend of regions building digital‑currency alternatives to the U.S. dollar. A functional euro‑pegged token could lower transaction costs, increase financial inclusion, and give policymakers a new tool for monetary policy, while also sparking competition among global stablecoin issuers.