Stablecore on Wednesday unveiled an early access program for U.S. credit unions to test blockchain-based financial services before committing to full integration. The initiative is a partnership with Circuit — formerly Members Development Company — and Curql, a fintech investment collective backed by more than 160 credit unions.
The initial cohort includes RBFCU, Stanford Federal Credit Union, and La Capitol Federal Credit Union, representing a combined $25 billion in assets. Participating institutions can evaluate stablecoin payments, tokenized deposits, Bitcoin, crypto on- and off-ramps, staking, and other digital asset services via Stablecore's platform before offering them to members. The company said the products are designed to operate within existing digital banking experiences.
CEO: Trust and Competitiveness
Alex Treece, CEO and co-founder of Stablecore, said: “Members trust their credit unions because of their ability to provide secure, trusted access to the financial products and services they care about within a single experience.” He added that by enabling digital asset offerings, Stablecore helps credit unions “stay relevant against competitive threats, retain their deposits and continue to be the trusted, primary financial partner for their members.”
Circuit CSO: Collaborative Evaluation
Ethan Cunningham, chief strategy officer at Circuit, described the program as a “collaborative space” where institutions can assess stablecoins and digital assets together while learning how the technology might reshape financial services without abandoning their member-first approach.
Education and Compliance
Stablecore noted the program also includes education for credit union staff and members to pave the way for future digital asset adoption. The firm added that former FDIC regulator Ben Hailey recently joined as head of risk and compliance to oversee governance, risk, and compliance frameworks for partner institutions.
Banking Network Expansion
This move builds on Stablecore's broader push to bring stablecoin and tokenized asset services to financial institutions through core banking systems. In February, the company joined the Jack Henry Fintech Integration Network, which reaches roughly 1,670 bank and credit union core clients. In May, the Tennessee Bankers Association selected Stablecore as a preferred digital asset technology provider for its 175-plus member banks, giving them access to stablecoin accounts, tokenized deposits, crypto-backed lending, payment acceptance, and digital asset accounts via existing systems.
Colin Barrett, president and CEO of the Tennessee Bankers Association, said at the time that customers would benefit from digital asset tools delivered through “the secure and trusted environment of their local bank.”
Regulatory Prep
U.S. credit unions are also bracing for potential stablecoin regulation. In February, the National Credit Union Administration proposed a licensing framework requiring payment stablecoin issuers operating through subsidiaries of federally insured credit unions to obtain an NCUA license before issuing stablecoins. The proposal focused on licensing and supervision, with additional rules on reserves, capital, liquidity, and risk management expected via future rulemaking.