The Challenge: Fragmented Payment Rails in Europe
European businesses face significant friction in cross-border payments — high fees, slow settlements, and complex banking systems.
Crypto promised to fix this, but adoption lagged due to regulatory uncertainty and a lack of merchant-friendly infrastructure.
This is where BVNK stepped in, focusing specifically on API-first payment rails that integrate stablecoins into merchant workflows — particularly for sectors like e-commerce, gaming, and content platforms.
The Solution: BVNK’s Stablecoin-Powered Merchant Model
BVNK built its system to work with major stablecoins like USDC, USDT, and EURC, offering:
- Real-time settlement for businesses
- Seamless API integration for platforms and services
- Global payout and top-up support
- No need for users to manage wallets or exchanges
As a result, merchants can offer fast, cheap, borderless payments — with the compliance and control needed for modern businesses.
“Our fiat business is in service of our stablecoin platform… 90% of payments are made using stablecoins,” said BVNK co-founder Chris Harmse. (Chainalysis)
The Results: Crypto That Works for Business
BVNK’s model isn’t just theoretical — it’s delivering real results:
- UK crypto merchant services grew 58.4% year-over-year
- $217 billion in crypto volume originated from the UK alone in the last 12 months
- Stablecoins account for the majority of B2B and B2C settlements in BVNK’s ecosystem
BVNK’s success mirrors broader trends across Europe. Firms like Payhound in Malta and BCB Group in Germany are also exploring high-volume crypto rails for institutional clients.
Learn more about the crypto market landscape in our European crypto regulation hub.
Lessons for the Industry: What Makes This Work?
1. Use Case First, Token Second
BVNK never marketed itself as a “crypto company.” Instead, it built solutions that happen to use stablecoins under the hood.
2. Infrastructure is Everything
APIs, compliance, and liquidity routing matter far more than hype cycles. This is how you scale crypto payments.
3. Stablecoins Win Utility
In B2B settings, stablecoins offer predictability and speed — a compelling alternative to SWIFT or SEPA rails.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While BVNK’s model is gaining traction, challenges remain:
- Regulatory alignment under MiCA is still evolving
- AML/KYC concerns for cross-border transactions persist
- Mainstream merchant onboarding requires continued education
But with MiCA enforcement strengthening, and with European regulators increasingly recognizing the role of regulated stablecoins, the road is being paved for greater adoption.
Check our guide to crypto investing safely to understand how businesses can navigate risk in digital asset finance.
Final Thoughts
BVNK’s case proves that stablecoins aren’t just trading tools — they’re becoming financial infrastructure for the real world.
As more European firms explore crypto-powered payments, the model that BVNK is building — fast, regulated, business-first — could become the blueprint for crypto’s long-awaited leap from speculation to utility.
For more insights on emerging use cases and innovations, check out our coverage on Top Altcoins to Watch in 2025.
