Global fintech giant Stripe has rolled out stablecoin-powered accounts to users in over 100 countries, marking a major leap in digital finance adoption—especially in regions grappling with inflation and limited banking access.
According to the company’s May 7 announcement, The new offering enables Stripe clients to send, receive, and hold balances in US-dollar stablecoins, mirroring the functionality of traditional bank accounts. This move underscores Stripe’s push to expand financial access through blockchain-powered infrastructure.
The accounts will support Circle’s USDC and Bridge’s USDB stablecoins. The inclusion of Bridge’s token follows Stripe’s acquisition of the Bridge platform in October 2024 for $1.1 billion.
As a result of the acquisition, Sequoia Capital and several other venture capital (VC) firms are set to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in return. Sequoia held a 16% stake in Bridge after an initial investment of $19 million in the startup’s Series A round a year ago. The VC’s stake is now valued at over $100 million.
The stablecoin accounts are accessible to users in regions such as Argentina, Chile, Turkey, Colombia, and Peru—countries where inflation, capital controls, and underdeveloped financial systems have spurred the adoption of alternative currencies.
Stripe’s latest product taps into a growing global trend: individuals in emerging economies turn to stablecoins as a hedge against currency volatility and a reliable payment tool. In Latin America, for instance, crypto platform Bitso reports a surge in stablecoin usage for online transactions and savings.
This isn’t Stripe’s first foray into stablecoins. In October 2024, the platform integrated USDC as a payment method for online merchants. The feature quickly gained traction, with users from 70 countries opting for stablecoin payments.
By leveraging blockchain’s low-cost and borderless capabilities, Stripe’s stablecoin accounts aim to bridge the financial inclusion gap, offering anyone with a mobile phone, wallet app, and internet connection a stable and accessible way to manage their money.
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