Shopify has officially partnered with Coinbase and Stripe to enable seamless USDC stablecoin payments across its e-commerce platform, opening a new chapter for global merchants seeking crypto integration without technical complexity.
The rollout, announced Thursday, will initially support payments via the Base blockchain. Customers shopping on Shopify can now select USDC as a payment method and use any compatible crypto wallet to complete their transaction. For merchants, Stripe will handle the backend complexity—converting stablecoin payments into local fiat currencies and depositing funds directly into bank accounts, just like traditional payment methods.
Shopify COO Kaz Nejatian emphasized the importance of reducing friction:
“Stripe has long handled the hard parts of payments so our merchants don’t have to. Now they’re doing the same for stablecoins—making it simple for our merchants to meet booming global demand without wrestling with crypto infrastructure.”
The new service will be available to Shopify merchants in 34 countries and is designed to meet the rising demand for borderless, digital-native payments, particularly in regions where traditional banking systems may be less efficient or accessible.
Beyond just another crypto integration, this collaboration signals a maturing ecosystem where blockchain-based commerce becomes user-friendly and scalable for global retail operations.
USDC Sees Growth Through IPO, M&A, and Network Support
Thursday’s announcement builds on a wave of developments signaling rapid expansion for USDC, the world’s second-largest stablecoin. Following Circle’s successful IPO debut on the New York Stock Exchange and Stripe’s acquisition of crypto wallet startup Privy, the latest move reflects a broader institutional embrace of blockchain-based payment infrastructure.
At the same time, the XRP Ledger mainnet confirmed full support for USDC, adding yet another high-throughput Layer 1 network to the list of USDC-compatible chains. This multi-chain strategy is becoming central to Circle’s effort to compete with market leader Tether (USDT), especially as stablecoin utility shifts toward real-world commerce and enterprise adoption.
According to Stripe, stablecoin settlements have surged in the past two years, with monthly volumes rising from under $2 billion to more than $6.3 billion. In total, over $94 billion worth of stablecoin payments were processed during that span—underscoring the demand for faster, borderless digital transaction rails.
Shopify and Coinbase Launch Commerce Protocol
In a bid to make blockchain payments more practical for day-to-day commerce, Coinbase and Shopify have introduced the Commerce Payments Protocol—a system designed to close the gap between crypto’s peer-to-peer roots and the complex demands of online retail.
Coinbase described the move as a necessary evolution, noting that while existing on-chain payment systems are effective for direct transfers, they lack the layered structure needed for typical commercial transactions, such as payment holds, order validation, and refunds. The protocol aims to bring multi-step payment functionality to crypto commerce, making it more comparable to traditional fiat systems.
This isn’t Shopify’s first foray into crypto innovation. The platform previously partnered with Solana Pay in 2023, allowing merchants to accept SOL and USDC. Now, with a deeper technical integration via Coinbase’s infrastructure, Shopify appears to be doubling down on its role as a gateway for real-world blockchain adoption.
As stablecoins like USDC gain traction and infrastructure becomes more tailored to business use cases, initiatives like the Commerce Payments Protocol could be key to shifting crypto from a speculative tool to a mainstream payment solution.
Quick Facts
- Shopify now supports USDC payments via Stripe and Coinbase.
- The feature is live for merchants in 34 countries.
- Stripe will convert stablecoins to fiat and handle settlement.
- Coinbase and Shopify launched a new Commerce Payments Protocol.
- USDC processed $94B in payments in the past two years.
