Stripe is entering the next phase of its crypto journey, announcing a pilot program for a new stablecoin-based payment solution targeting businesses outside the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union.
CEO Patrick Collison revealed on social media that Stripe has been developing this concept for nearly a decade and is now opening it up to select pilot users. The move marks a significant return to crypto innovation for Stripe, which previously paused its Bitcoin payment services in 2018 due to volatility concerns.
The new initiative builds on Stripe’s recent acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin payments platform founded by former Coinbase executives Zach Abrams and Sean Yu. Bridge’s technology is designed to offer businesses a faster, cheaper alternative to traditional cross-border systems like SWIFT—an alignment with Stripe’s broader goal of streamlining global commerce.
By tapping into stablecoin rails, Stripe aims to better serve businesses in emerging markets where accessing efficient, reliable international payment infrastructure remains a challenge.
The company’s timing is strategic: the global stablecoin market is projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030, according to Citi. Stripe’s pilot could position it at the forefront of this growing sector, offering businesses a modern solution to the longstanding inefficiencies of global payments.
Regulatory Momentum and Market Expansion
Stripe’s new stablecoin pilot comes at a time when the regulatory landscape for digital dollars is beginning to take shape.
The U.S. Senate is actively working on a framework for stablecoins through the “Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act of 2025” (GENIUS Act). Approved by the Senate Banking Committee with an 18-6 vote, the bipartisan legislation aims to ensure that stablecoin issuers maintain 1:1 reserves and comply with anti-money laundering standards, reinforcing the U.S. dollar’s dominance in the global economy.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is considering complementary legislation—the “Stablecoin Transparency and Accountability for a Level Economy Act” (STABLE Act)—which seeks to harmonize state and federal regulations for stablecoin issuers.
Beyond regulation, the stablecoin sector itself is rapidly evolving. World Liberty Financial Inc. (WLFI), a decentralized finance protocol backed by President Donald Trump and his family, recently launched USD1, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin fully collateralized with short-term Treasury securities and dollar deposits. USD1, now live on Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain, has already seen substantial trading volume.
Ripple has also expanded its footprint with RLUSD, a stablecoin aimed at boosting XRP’s liquidity in cross-border transactions.
Together, these developments highlight a broader industry shift toward stable digital assets, with Stripe’s entry signaling that major fintech players are positioning themselves for the next wave of global payments innovation.
Quick Facts
- Stripe is piloting a stablecoin payment solution for businesses outside the U.S., U.K., and EU.
- The initiative follows Stripe’s acquisition of Bridge, a stablecoin-focused payments platform.
- The stablecoin market is projected to reach $3.7 trillion by 2030, according to Citi.
- Stripe’s move reflects a broader industry trend toward adopting stablecoins for cross-border transactions.
