Stripe announced a significant expansion of its cryptocurrency offerings by introducing recurring subscription payments using stablecoins.
This feature allows businesses to accept automated, ongoing payments in stablecoins like USDC, settling them as fiat currency in their Stripe balance. It’s particularly aimed at AI companies and other subscription-based models, which represent about 30% of Stripe’s business users.
Currently limited to USDC on the Base and Polygon blockchains. Customers can pay using over 400 compatible wallets, such as Phantom. Stripe developed a custom smart contract that lets users save their crypto wallet as a payment method and authorize recurring charges without manual re-signing for each transaction—solving a major friction point in blockchain payments.
Rolling out in private preview to U.S.-based businesses only. It integrates seamlessly with Stripe’s existing tools, including Stripe Billing, Optimized Checkout Suite, Elements, Payment Intents API, and Payment Links.
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Transactions settle near-instantly at roughly half the cost of traditional methods, ideal for global, cross-border payments. Attracts tech-forward users and reaches customers in regions with limited banking access.
Businesses can handle both fiat and stablecoin subscriptions in a single dashboard. AI firm Shadeform reports ~20% of its payment volume shifting to stablecoins for these advantages. Higgsfield’s CEO highlighted reduced revenue costs and broader user reach.
This builds on Stripe’s crypto push, including stablecoin accounts launched in 101 countries earlier in 2025 and general stablecoin payment support (USDC, USDP, USDG) across Ethereum, Solana, Polygon, and Base.
Future plans may include more stablecoins like USDT and additional networks. Refunds are issued back in stablecoins, with transaction limits of $10,000 per charge and $100,000 monthly.
This move positions Stripe as a bridge between traditional finance and Web3, potentially accelerating stablecoin adoption for everyday services like SaaS, memberships, and API billing.
Implications of Stripe’s Stablecoin Payments for Subscriptions
Stripe’s introduction of stablecoin payments for subscriptions, announced on October 14, 2025, carries significant implications for businesses, consumers, and the broader financial ecosystem.
Stablecoin transactions settle at roughly half the cost of traditional payment methods via credit cards, ACH. This is particularly impactful for subscription-based businesses like SaaS platforms and AI companies, which make up ~30% of Stripe’s user base, as lower fees boost profit margins.
Stablecoins enable businesses to serve customers in regions with limited banking infrastructure, expanding market access. This is critical for companies targeting emerging markets or crypto-savvy demographics.
The custom smart contract for recurring payments eliminates the need for customers to manually re-sign transactions, reducing churn and operational friction. Integration with Stripe’s existing tools Billing, Payment Links, simplifies adoption for merchants already on the platform.
Offering stablecoin payments attracts tech-forward customers, particularly in industries like AI, gaming, or DeFi, where crypto adoption is higher. Early adopters like Shadeform with ~20% payment volume in stablecoins demonstrate this shift.
Since payments settle in fiat, businesses avoid exposure to crypto volatility while still catering to customers who prefer stablecoins. Customers in underbanked regions or those without traditional payment methods can now subscribe to services using stablecoins like USDC via 400+ compatible wallets. This democratizes access to digital services.
The smart contract simplifies recurring payments, making crypto subscriptions as seamless as card-based ones. No need to manually approve each charge. Crypto wallets offer users more control over their funds and potentially greater privacy compared to traditional banking systems, appealing to crypto-native users.
Stripe’s move legitimizes stablecoins for everyday transactions, bridging Web3 and traditional finance. Supporting USDC on Base and Polygon with plans for USDT and other networks could accelerate stablecoin use beyond niche crypto markets.
Lower-cost, near-instant stablecoin transactions challenge high-fee, slower legacy systems like credit cards or cross-border bank transfers. This could push competitors (e.g., PayPal, Square) to integrate crypto faster.