Stablecoin

Token

Bank

Money Token

Bison Bank has launched what it calls Portugal's first bank-issued stablecoin, the Bison Bank Electronic Money Token, marking a notable step for the country's regulated digital asset sector. <cite>The token is issued in two forms: one referenced to the euro, named <a href="https://x.com/search?q=%24EUB&amp;src=cashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$EUB</a>, and another referenced to the US dollar, named <a href="https://x.com/search?q=%24USB&amp;src=cashtag_click" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">$USB</a>.</cite><cite>Both are designed for fast, secure, and transparent international payments and transfers.</cite>
<h2 id="what-the-token-is-and-how-it-works">What the Token Is and How It Works</h2>
<cite>An e-money token is the digital equivalent of cash, built on blockchain technology. Each token represents an equivalent value in a traditional currency and is issued by a regulated entity, in this case Bison Bank, which guarantees that every token is backed 1:1 by real currency reserves.</cite><cite>Reserves are held in ECB-eligible government bills with maturities under three months, a structure designed to withstand market shocks.</cite> Reserves are audited monthly and held in segregated accounts.
<cite>The initiative is in full compliance with the MiCA (Markets in Crypto-Assets) Regulation, the European Union's legal framework designed to harmonize crypto-asset regulation and ensure operational security and stability.</cite><cite>Portugal officially completed the implementation of MiCA on December 22, 2025, under Law 69/2025, with the Bank of Portugal and the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) designated as the supervising authorities for digital asset activities.</cite>
<cite>As a MiCA-compliant Electronic Money Token issued by a regulated EU credit institution under ECB supervision, the token qualifies for preferential treatment under the Basel Committee's prudential treatment of cryptoasset exposures (SCO60), effective January 1, 2026.</cite><cite>This enables financial institutions in jurisdictions aligned with the Basel Framework to integrate the token into their treasury management and balance-sheet treatment with capital requirements aligned to the underlying fiat reference asset.</cite>
<h2 id="a-deliberate-move-ahead-of-the-mica-deadline">A Deliberate Move Ahead of the MiCA Deadline</h2>
<cite>The stablecoin launch is part of a broader set of strategic initiatives that also includes the merger of Bison Bank's crypto subsidiary Bison Digital Assets (BDA) into the main bank, and the development of real-world asset (RWA) tokenization capabilities covering real estate and investment funds.</cite><cite>These initiatives are designed to enhance the bank's value proposition for its global client base, which spans over 140 countries.</cite>
The timing is calculated. <cite>Some EU countries have chosen to apply the full 18-month grandfathering period allowed under MiCA, giving existing crypto-asset service providers until July 1, 2026, to continue operating under their national regimes before needing full authorization.</cite><cite>After that date, any Portuguese fintech that wants to issue or distribute crypto tokens will need the same license Bison already holds.</cite> Bison Bank is already positioned on the right side of that line.
CEO António Henriques framed the launch in global terms: <cite>"Our new e-money token serves as a secure and stable bridge between traditional money and the digital future, focused on creating an efficient, fast, and secure channel for cross-border payments and transfers among a select group of institutional partners."</cite>
Sources: <a href="https://bisonbank.com/bison-electronic-money-token-the-first-portuguese-stablecoin-is-launched-today/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Bison Bank official announcement: First Portuguese stablecoin launch</a> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">PR Newswire: Bison Bank MiCA-compliant stablecoin press release</a> <a href="https://www.essential-business.pt/2026/05/06/bison-bank-launches-portugals-first-stablecoin/" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">Essential Business: Bison Bank launches Portugal's first stablecoin</a>

First Portuguese Bank Stablecoin Goes Live

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