Banking Circle has opened a Czech branch to support local Czech koruna (CZK) clearing, expanding its European payments infrastructure. The branch received regulatory approval on 1 December 2025 and is expected to start operations later in 2026, according to a Banking Circle press release.
With the new branch, Banking Circle will be able to provide direct CZK payments, local bank accounts and multi-currency virtual IBANs. The services are intended for banks, payment service providers and fintechs operating in or connecting to the Czech market. Banking Circle has previously served the country on a cross-border basis since December 2019.
Central European expansion
The Czech branch is part of a broader regional expansion. Banking Circle is also opening a branch in Poland and has stated plans to further extend its local currency capabilities across Europe. The focus, according to the company, is on building a clearing network that supports major currencies through local access rather than cross-border processing.
The Czech Republic has seen rapid growth in instant payments. Data cited by Banking Circle shows that the Czech National Bank processed 27 per cent more instant payment transactions in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, with coverage reaching 99 per cent of the market. In 2025, the central bank also created a USD 1 million test portfolio of digital assets based on blockchain technology.
Industry participation
Banking Circle has joined the Czech Fintech Association and is working with Czech-based fintech Fidoo, which is expanding from a domestic fintech into a European SME bank.
According to Banking Circle, the Czech branch strengthens its ability to deliver local payment services to international customers while increasing its presence in a market characterised by high adoption of digital and instant payments.
