EURC vs EURS: Which EUR Stablecoin Should You Choose?

When it comes to Euro stablecoins, two names dominate: EURC by Circle and EURS by Stasis. Both maintain a 1:1 peg with the Euro, but they differ significantly in DeFi integration, regulatory status, and chain availability.

This guide compares both to help you pick the right one.

EURC: The Circle Standard

EURC is issued by Circle — the same company behind USDC, one of the world's largest stablecoins. That pedigree matters. Circle's infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and institutional relationships give EURC advantages that are hard to match.

What makes EURC stand out:

MiCA-compliant — Circle was among the first to receive full authorization under the EU's new crypto regulation
Monthly audits — Grant Thornton attests to EURC reserves every month, not quarterly
Multi-chain — native on Ethereum, Base, Avalanche, and Solana
Deep DeFi integration — available on Aave, Morpho, Curve, Uniswap, Summer.fi, and more
Strong liquidity — benefits from Circle's global USDC infrastructure

Things to consider: Circle is US-headquartered (though EU-licensed), and EURC launched in 2022 — a shorter track record than EURS.

Earn up to 5.33% APY on EURC through Morpho's Gauntlet vault.

EURS: The European Pioneer

EURS by Stasis launched in 2018, making it the longest-running EUR stablecoin. Based in Malta with an EU e-money license, Stasis offers a European-first approach that appeals to users who prefer local issuers.

What makes EURS stand out:

8-year track record — survived the 2022 crypto winter and multiple market crises without losing its peg
European issuer — Malta-based with EU e-money license
Direct bank redemption — withdraw to your European bank account directly through Stasis
Transparent reserves — quarterly attestations from top accounting firms

Things to consider: EURS has fewer DeFi options (primarily Curve and select lending protocols), supports fewer chains (Ethereum and Polygon), and publishes audits quarterly rather than monthly.

Where You Can Earn Yield

This is where the difference becomes most noticeable.

With EURC, you have extensive options. On Ethereum, Morpho's Gauntlet vault offers around 5.33% APY, while Aave V3 provides a more conservative 2%. On Base, you can access Aave V3 at roughly 1.4%, Summer.fi around 2.9%, and YO Finance near 3.7%. Each protocol offers a different risk-reward profile.

With EURS, your options are more limited. You can provide liquidity in Curve pools on Ethereum and access select lending markets, but there are no major vault strategies or multi-chain opportunities comparable to what EURC offers.

View all EUR stablecoin yields on eurooo.xyz →

How They Compare on Regulation

Both EURC and EURS are regulated, but the frameworks differ.

EURC is fully MiCA-compliant. Circle received its EU authorization in July 2024, which means EURC reserves must be held 1:1 in segregated EU bank accounts, users have legal redemption rights, and reserve attestations are published monthly. This is currently the gold standard for EUR stablecoin regulation.

EURS operates under Malta's e-money framework and is transitioning to full MiCA compliance under transitional provisions. Stasis maintains audited fiat reserves and publishes quarterly attestations. The regulatory protection is real but not yet at the MiCA-specific level.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose EURC if you want:

The widest range of DeFi yield opportunities
Multi-chain flexibility (Ethereum, Base, Avalanche, Solana)
The strongest regulatory framework under MiCA
Monthly reserve audits for maximum transparency

Choose EURS if you want:

A European-based, Malta-regulated issuer
An 8-year proven track record of peg stability
Simple, direct EUR bank withdrawals
To support the original EUR stablecoin pioneer

Can You Hold Both?

Absolutely — and many users do. Holding both EURC and EURS spreads your risk across two different issuers, two different regulatory frameworks, and two different infrastructure setups. If one issuer ever faced problems, you'd still have exposure through the other.

A common split is 60-70% EURC (for DeFi access) and 30-40% EURS (for diversification and off-ramping).

Market Share Perspective

EURC has grown to represent over 60% of EUR stablecoin TVL in DeFi as of 2026, driven largely by its integration with major lending protocols like Aave and Morpho. EURS maintains a steady but smaller presence, with its user base more focused on holding and off-ramping than active DeFi participation.

View current EUR stablecoin market statistics →

Key Takeaways

EURC offers broader DeFi integration, multi-chain support, and MiCA regulatory leadership
EURS provides European heritage, an unmatched 8-year track record, and easy bank off-ramping
Both are legitimate, audited EUR stablecoins backed by fiat reserves
Your choice depends on priorities — DeFi access and regulation (EURC) vs. longevity and European roots (EURS)
Holding both reduces single-issuer risk

Compare current EUR stablecoin rates →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EURC safer than EURS?

Both are backed by audited reserves and regulated. EURC has the edge on regulatory transparency (monthly audits, full MiCA compliance), while EURS has a longer operating history. Safety depends on what concerns you most — regulatory rigor or battle-tested longevity.

Can I swap between EURC and EURS?

Yes. You can swap between them on decentralized exchanges like Curve or Uniswap. EURC pairs tend to have deeper liquidity.

Which has better yields?

EURC currently offers significantly more yield opportunities due to wider DeFi integration, with rates ranging from 1% to over 5% depending on the protocol. Compare current rates →

Are both MiCA compliant?

EURC is explicitly MiCA-compliant since July 2024. EURS operates under Malta's e-money framework and is transitioning to full MiCA compliance under the regulation's transitional provisions.

Last updated: February 2026 · Compare EUR stablecoin yields →