The global payments giant Stripe is making a bold reentry into the cryptocurrency space with a strategic partnership with Coinbase, signaling renewed confidence in digital assets as a mainstream financial tool. The collaboration centers on expanding support for USD Coin (USDC) on Base, Coinbase’s rapidly growing Layer 2 blockchain, and marks a pivotal moment in the convergence of traditional finance (TradFi) and decentralized ecosystems.
This integration is not just a technical upgrade—it’s a foundational move toward a more seamless, global, and instant payments infrastructure powered by blockchain technology.
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Expanding USDC Access Through Stripe’s Global Network
Starting in summer 2025, U.S.-based Stripe users will be able to convert U.S. dollars into USDC using Stripe’s fiat-to-crypto onramp directly within the platform. This feature allows merchants, creators, and businesses to enter the crypto economy with minimal friction.
Beyond onboarding, Stripe will enable cross-border crypto payouts in USDC to recipients in over 150 countries. This functionality leverages the speed and low cost of blockchain settlements while maintaining compatibility with existing financial workflows.
Coinbase, meanwhile, will integrate Stripe’s fiat onramp into Coinbase Wallet, giving millions of wallet users the ability to purchase crypto using familiar methods like credit cards and Apple Pay. This removes one of the biggest barriers to crypto adoption: the complexity of acquiring digital assets.
“These three key integrations lay a strong foundation for Stripe and Coinbase to begin building a better payments future for users around the world,” Coinbase stated in its official announcement.
By combining Stripe’s global payment infrastructure with Coinbase’s wallet and blockchain ecosystem, the partnership creates a powerful bridge between fiat and crypto—making it easier than ever to send, receive, and use digital dollars.
Why USDC? The Rise of the Digital Dollar
USD Coin (USDC) remains the second-largest stablecoin by market capitalization, currently holding a $32.6 billion valuation despite a market correction from its 2022 peak of $55 billion. As a regulated, dollar-backed stablecoin, USDC offers the stability of traditional currency with the programmability and global reach of blockchain.
Its integration into Stripe’s system underscores a broader trend: institutions are increasingly treating stablecoins as functional digital cash rather than speculative assets.
With instant settlement, 24/7 availability, and near-zero transaction fees on Layer 2 networks like Base, USDC is well-positioned to become a backbone for next-generation payment systems—especially in cross-border commerce, gig economies, and decentralized finance (DeFi).
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Stripe’s Crypto Comeback: From Exit to Leadership
Stripe’s renewed push into crypto marks a full-circle journey. The company first supported Bitcoin payments in 2014, but discontinued the service in 2018 due to scalability issues—specifically rising fees and slow confirmation times.
“Bitcoin has evolved to become better-suited to being an asset than being a means of exchange,” Stripe explained at the time.
But the landscape has changed. With the rise of high-performance blockchains and stablecoins, crypto is now viable for everyday payments. In April 2025, Stripe quietly resumed crypto operations by enabling select businesses to accept stablecoin payments and facilitating USDC payouts for creators on Solana and Ethereum.
In March 2022, Stripe had already signaled its long-term vision by announcing plans to “give crypto businesses access to today’s global financial infrastructure.” The Coinbase partnership is the most significant step yet in fulfilling that promise.
John Collison, Stripe’s co-founder and president, summed it up clearly:
“Crypto is back. Stripe will start supporting global stablecoin payments this summer. Transactions instantly settle on-chain and automatically convert to fiat.”
This time, Stripe isn’t just dipping its toes—it’s building the plumbing for mass adoption.
Base: The Layer 2 Powerhouse Behind the Surge
At the heart of this partnership is Base, Coinbase’s Ethereum Layer 2 network. Designed for scalability, low fees, and seamless user experiences, Base has seen explosive growth in 2025.
According to L2beat, Base hit an all-time high of 42 transactions per second (TPS) on June 27—nearly an 878% increase since the start of the year. It now ranks as the second-largest Layer 2 network by Total Value Locked (TVL), with $7.33 billion in assets secured.
The DeFi ecosystem on Base has also flourished. As tracked by DefiLlama, Base’s DeFi TVL surged by 273% in the first half of 2025, reaching $1.7 billion—a 250% year-to-date increase.
Much of this growth has been fueled by memecoin activity, with over 650,000 tokens created on Base in 2025 alone (per Dune Analytics). While speculative, this developer and user enthusiasm has driven onboarding, wallet adoption, and transaction volume.
Just last week, Base surpassed Binance Smart Chain to become the second-most active network by monthly decentralized exchange (DEX) users—a testament to its growing utility beyond hype.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is Base?
A: Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain developed by Coinbase to provide fast, low-cost, and secure transactions. It aims to make building and using crypto applications accessible to mainstream users.
Q: What does Stripe’s fiat-to-crypto onramp do?
A: It allows users to buy cryptocurrency—specifically USDC—using traditional payment methods like bank accounts, credit cards, or Apple Pay, directly within supported platforms.
Q: Can non-U.S. users access this service?
A: Initially, U.S. users can convert dollars to USDC via Stripe. However, recipients in over 150 countries can receive USDC payouts, expanding global access to digital dollars.
Q: Is USDC safe to use?
A: Yes. USDC is a regulated stablecoin backed 1:1 by U.S. dollar reserves and regularly audited by independent firms. It operates under strict compliance standards.
Q: How does this partnership affect everyday users?
A: It simplifies crypto adoption—whether you're a freelancer receiving international payments or a shopper using DeFi apps, transactions become faster, cheaper, and more reliable.
Q: Why is this partnership important for crypto adoption?
A: It brings together two financial powerhouses—Stripe’s global payment reach and Coinbase’s blockchain infrastructure—to create a seamless bridge between traditional finance and Web3.
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The Road Ahead: A New Era of Financial Integration
The Stripe-Coinbase collaboration isn’t just about supporting a coin or launching a feature—it’s about redefining what payments can be. By integrating USDC on Base into Stripe’s ecosystem, they’re enabling:
- Instant cross-border settlements
- Lower transaction costs for businesses
- Frictionless onboarding for new crypto users
- Stronger alignment between regulated finance and decentralized networks
As Layer 2 networks mature and stablecoins gain regulatory clarity, we’re likely to see more TradFi giants follow Stripe’s lead. The line between digital wallets and bank accounts is blurring—and Base is emerging as a leading platform for that transition.
For developers, entrepreneurs, and everyday users, this partnership opens new doors: imagine e-commerce platforms accepting USDC at checkout, freelancers getting paid in stablecoins that settle instantly, or social apps rewarding engagement with tokenized incentives—all powered by infrastructure that just works.
The future of money isn’t just digital. It’s instant, global, and open to everyone. And with Stripe back in the crypto game, that future is arriving faster than expected.