Stripe Rolls Out Stablecoin Subscriptions as Visa and OwlTing Expand Blockchain Use

Stripe is moving deeper into cryptocurrency. The company has launched a new feature that lets businesses accept recurring payments in stablecoins. At launch, the service supports USD Coin ($USDC) on the Polygon and Base networks.

This update allows Stripe’s business customers to charge subscription fees in cryptocurrency, just like they would with traditional payments. It’s meant for companies that rely on recurring revenue – especially artificial intelligence (AI) firms, which make up about 30% of Stripe’s customer base.

Many of these AI companies deal with customers around the world, and cross-border transactions often come with high fees and long delays. Stripe says using stablecoins like USDC can cut those costs and make payments faster. For some of its largest AI clients, as much as 60% of revenue comes from outside the United States.

For now, this option is available only to U.S. clients. Payments are settled in USDC on Polygon and Base, and Stripe supports more than 400 crypto wallets. Once a user signs a transaction, their wallet address is automatically linked, meaning they don’t have to approve every recurring charge.

On the receiving end, businesses still get paid in regular fiat currency, which goes directly into their Stripe accounts. Subscriptions can be managed from a single dashboard that connects with Stripe Billing and the Optimized Checkout Suite. The new feature is already available to eligible users who use supported payment methods.

Alex Mashrabov, CEO of the AI startup Higgsfield, said his team is eager to use the new feature. “We’re incredibly excited to launch stablecoin subscription payments through Stripe,” he said. “Stablecoin payments help us reduce transaction costs globally, attract more sophisticated users, and reach those without access to other payment methods.”

Stripe’s move into stablecoin payments didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier this year, in May 2025, the company introduced Stablecoin Financial Accounts. That step laid the foundation for today’s subscription product, giving Stripe’s customers access to stablecoin infrastructure inside a regulated environment.

The company’s expansion into crypto isn’t happening in isolation. Other major fintech firms have also been rolling out stablecoin tools for businesses. PayPal now allows merchants in certain regions to accept USDC and other cryptocurrencies, automatically converting them into regular money at checkout. 

Circle, the company behind USDC, offers payment infrastructure that helps businesses settle transactions instantly. Coinbase Commerce also supports multiple stablecoins for merchants, including options for recurring and international payments.

Like Stripe, these companies are chasing a clear goal – helping businesses manage global payments with fewer middlemen and lower fees. Stablecoins make that easier, and the recent surge of regulatory clarity in the United States has encouraged payment providers to bring these tools into the mainstream.

Stripe’s Bridge Unit Seeks a Federal Charter

Stripe’s stablecoin expansion is driven by its subsidiary, Bridge, which focuses on blockchain-based financial services. Bridge has now applied for a national bank trust charter from the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

If approved, this license would put Bridge under a unified federal framework. It would also give Stripe the authority to issue and custody stablecoins directly – something only a few companies in the U.S. are currently able to do.

The application aligns with the recently passed GENIUS Act, which provides clear regulations for stablecoin issuers. Zach Abrams, Bridge’s co-founder, said the license would allow the company to “tokenize trillions of dollars.” In his view, this step is critical to expanding the role of regulated digital assets in global finance.

Stripe acquired Bridge in 2024 for $1.1 billion. Since then, the company has been integrating Bridge’s technology into its infrastructure to prepare for a future where crypto and fiat systems operate side by side.

The move shows Stripe’s long-term commitment to stablecoins – not just as a payment method, but as a key part of its financial ecosystem. The company wants to make digital assets as accessible and regulated as traditional currencies, allowing businesses to handle crypto without worrying about compliance or volatility.

Other fintech companies are taking a similar approach. PayPal, Circle, and Coinbase all aim to simplify stablecoin use for businesses by providing regulated infrastructure and easy-to-integrate APIs. For global merchants, these solutions can significantly reduce their dependency on traditional banking systems.

The trend reflects a larger shift in how financial technology companies think about payments. Instead of building systems that compete with banks, firms like Stripe and Bridge are developing technology that connects traditional banking with blockchain-based tools. By operating within a regulated framework, they aim to bring stability and trust to a market that has often faced skepticism.

OwlTing and Visa Strengthen the Global Stablecoin Ecosystem

Stripe’s announcement comes as other companies are also expanding their use of stablecoins. In Taiwan, fintech firm OwlTing has received approval to list directly on the Nasdaq, marking a significant step for the region’s blockchain and stablecoin industry.

According to its parent company, Obook Holdings, trading is set to begin on Thursday, October 16, under the ticker OWLS. OwlTing chose a direct listing instead of a traditional initial public offering (IPO), which means it won’t issue new shares or dilute existing holdings. This approach shows confidence in its current valuation and growth plans.

OwlTing was founded by Darren Wang and originally focused on areas like food traceability and hospitality. Over time, it pivoted toward financial technology. In 2023, the company launched OwlPay, a global payment platform that allows businesses to send and receive money in both fiat currency and stablecoins like USDC.

“Our journey has always been about solving real-world problems with compliance and transparency at the core,” Wang said. The company’s CFO, Winnie Lin, added that OwlTing plans to expand internationally while maintaining its “compliance-first” strategy.

According to its 2024 financial report, OwlTing earned $7.6 million in revenue, an 18.3% increase from the previous year. However, it posted a net loss of $10.3 million, compared to $6.8 million in 2023. Despite the losses, the Nasdaq listing signals strong investor interest in blockchain-based payment systems that connect traditional finance with digital assets.

Analysts say OwlTing’s direct listing could set an example for other Asian Web3 companies hoping to enter U.S. markets. It shows that blockchain-focused firms can compete on major exchanges while keeping compliance as a core value.

In another development, Visa has launched a pilot program that allows businesses to fund cross-border payments using stablecoins instead of maintaining pre-funded local bank accounts. The initiative, built on Visa Direct, helps companies send payments more efficiently while reducing the need to hold large amounts of cash in different currencies.

The program was introduced shortly after the GENIUS Act was passed, giving legal clarity to stablecoin operations in the U.S. It focuses on banks and remittance companies that deal with international transfers. Visa says this system will help reduce friction in cross-border settlements and unlock trapped capital that would otherwise sit idle in foreign accounts.

Visa has already processed around $200 million in stablecoin settlements as part of its early testing. The company sees growing demand for combining blockchain technology with existing financial networks. It has also built a Tokenized Asset Platform and developed partnerships with several banks to support digital currency payments directly.

While regulators still approach stablecoins carefully, Visa’s move shows a changing attitude. Instead of viewing crypto technology as a threat, major financial players are now integrating it into their systems. This shift points toward a future where blockchain and traditional payments operate side by side.

A Step Toward Mainstream Use

Together, these developments from Stripe, OwlTing, and Visa highlight how stablecoins are moving beyond the experimental phase and into everyday financial operations. Stablecoins are no longer just tools for crypto traders – they’re becoming part of how global businesses manage money.

Stripe’s entry into subscription payments, Bridge’s push for a federal charter, OwlTing’s Nasdaq debut, and Visa’s cross-border pilot all share a common goal: making payments faster, cheaper, and more accessible worldwide.

With clear regulations like the GENIUS Act now in place, companies are finding it easier to build on blockchain without facing as much legal uncertainty. As more businesses adopt these systems, stablecoins could soon become a normal part of digital commerce – bridging the gap between traditional finance and the emerging world of crypto.