The Dutch fintech company, Quantoz Payments, introduced two new stablecoins, USDQ and EURQ, compliant with the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA). 

Backed by prominent investors like Tether, Kraken, and Fabric Ventures, these tokens aim to provide secure, regulated digital payment solutions across the European Economic Area (EEA).

What Are USDQ and EURQ?

Quantoz’s stablecoins, USDQ and EURQ, are e-money tokens (EMTs) issued on the Ethereum blockchain. Fully backed by fiat reserves, these tokens ensure security and transparency for users. 

The Dutch Central Bank (DNB) licenses them, reinforcing their credibility as a regulated financial product.

Key highlights include:

• Fiat-Backed Stability: Both tokens are backed 1:1 by reserves held in segregated accounts at Tier 1 banks.

• MiCA Compliance: They adhere to stringent EU requirements, including maintaining 100% fiat backing and an additional 2% held by Quantoz.

• Wide Accessibility: The tokens facilitate euro and dollar transfers for digital payments, crypto exchanges, and decentralized applications (dApps).

“Having well-regulated, transparent, and fully backed stablecoins is critical to enabling faster, cheaper, and more secure settlements in Europe’s largest single market,” said Arnoud Star Busmann, CEO of Quantoz Payments.

Advantages for Users

• Faster Transactions: Blockchain-based stablecoins offer near-instantaneous payments compared to traditional banking systems.

• Cost Efficiency: Reduced fees make these tokens ideal for cross-border payments.

• Regulatory Assurance: MiCA compliance ensures safety and builds trust among consumers and institutions.

Launch Details and Trading Plans

The USDQ and EURQ tokens will debut on Bitfinex and Kraken for eligible users starting November 21, 2024. These exchanges will serve as initial platforms for trading and liquidity, allowing users to experience the efficiency of these stablecoins in secondary markets and on-chain transactions.

Quantoz plans to leverage the Ethereum blockchain for these stablecoins, which facilitates faster, transparent, and cost-effective digital payments compared to traditional infrastructure.

Targeting Growth in a Competitive Market

With the MiCA regulations coming into effect this December, stablecoin issuers face increased scrutiny. USDQ and EURQ enter a market currently dominated by Circle’s EURC and Société Générale’s EURCV, which hold 67% of the euro-stablecoin market.

However, Quantoz aims to carve out its share by emphasizing regulatory compliance, strong fiat backing, and integration with major exchanges and decentralized applications (dApps).

Quantoz is not just focused on stablecoins. The company is also developing a tokenization business, creating digital versions of traditional financial instruments like bonds, according to CoinDesk. 

Quantoz has already gained recognition for its earlier stablecoin, EURD, built on the Algorand blockchain. EURD powers diverse use cases, from e-commerce and P2P payments to cash flow management for businesses.