Could Stripe Launch Its Own Blockchain Network? An Analysis of the Payment Giant's Blockchain Strategy

Recently, the crypto community has been circulating that Stripe intends to launch its own Blockchain network. Following the acquisitions of Bridge and Privy, launching a dedicated chain may be the next move in its strategy in the Blockchain space. As a leading global payment service provider, Stripe plays a technical bridge role among merchants, acquirers, card networks, and issuing banks, ensuring that transactions are efficient and secure.

If the blockchain mainnet is really launched, it may basically support stablecoin payments and deep integration with customer payments and merchant settlements; in an ideal scenario, it may completely reshape the payment system, including:

1. Bypass direct payments with card organizations and banks;
2. Achieve micropayment subscription models that are difficult to support with traditional systems;
3. Generate income through short-term deposit balances.

Currently, Stripe mainly operates as a payment gateway and acquirer. If it launches its own Blockchain network, it is expected to replace some roles of traditional issuing banks and card organizations, which could become a historic turning point for the payment industry.

Will Stripe launch a Blockchain mainnet?

Although it has not yet been officially confirmed, multiple sources have mentioned this matter. Similar to a certain trading platform launching stock tokenization features based on Arbitrum, Stripe may be the next large fintech company to enter the Blockchain field.

Stripe's mission is "to increase the internet's GDP," focusing on building global economic infrastructure to help companies from startups to large enterprises manage online payments, operations, and growth. From this vision, Blockchain is undoubtedly a highly attractive technology.

In February 2025, Stripe acquired the stablecoin infrastructure company Bridge for approximately $1.1 billion, further strengthening its strategic position in the stablecoin financial infrastructure sector. Subsequently, at the Stripe Sessions conference in May, it officially launched the "Stablecoin Financial Account" service.

This service has been launched in 101 countries, and enterprises can:

• Hold USDC and USDB;
• Deposit and withdraw stablecoins via ACH/wire transfer for USD and via SEPA for EUR;
• Access and store USDC on-chain through multiple mainstream Blockchain networks.

This means that businesses can easily access dollar-based stablecoins on the Stripe platform and achieve efficient fiat deposit and withdrawal operations through a seamlessly integrated traditional banking system.

In addition, Stripe acquired the Web3 wallet infrastructure startup Privy in June 2025, which provides wallet creation based on email or SSO login, transaction signing, key management, and Gas abstraction. Combining the existing stablecoin infrastructure with wallet technology, it seems natural to launch its own Blockchain mainnet to achieve coordinated development of the system.

What Changes Would Occur If Stripe Launched a Blockchain Mainnet?

Although the launch of Stripe's blockchain mainnet is still rumored, if it comes true, it could enable a range of financial services that were previously unachievable. Below are several conceptual directions based on existing businesses and potential expansions.

Stripe's existing capabilities as a payment service provider

To understand how Stripe can improve its services through Blockchain, one must first understand the role it currently plays. As one of the most well-known payment service providers, Stripe acts as a technical bridge between merchants, acquirers, card organizations, and issuing banks, ensuring a smooth and secure payment process. Its main services include:

• Payment Gateway: Collects user card information, encrypts it, and transmits it to the card network and the issuing bank;
• Supports multiple payment methods: supports credit cards, digital wallets, bank transfers, and local payment methods;
• Fraud Detection and Security Assurance: Detecting fraudulent transactions through machine learning, adhering to security standards such as PCI-DSS;
• Multi-currency and international payment support: Automatic conversion of multiple currencies to facilitate global sales;
• Reporting and Analysis Tools: Provide merchants with insights into transaction records, success rates, user behavior, etc.;
• Technical Integration and Operational Support: Provide API and SDK to assist businesses in deploying payment systems, and handle refunds, billing, customer support, and other matters;
• Customer experience optimization: Supports payment scenarios such as subscriptions, installment payments, refunds, etc.;
• Merchant settlement intermediary: Cooperating with the acquiring party or handling it independently, settling funds from the issuing bank to the merchant.

Before the emergence of payment service providers, merchants had to integrate multiple payment methods themselves and sign contracts with acquirers one by one, which greatly affected operations and user experience.

The transformation that the Stripe Blockchain network may bring

If Stripe launches a Blockchain network, it may bring the following changes:

Basic Scenario

1. Merchant stablecoin account integrated with Stripe Blockchain

Stripe currently offers stablecoin account services in 101 countries, allowing merchants to hold USDC and USDB, and to deposit and withdraw through traditional banking systems or on-chain networks. If a proprietary Blockchain is launched, it is expected to further support deposits and withdrawals through its own chain, enhancing operational efficiency and expanding application scenarios.

2. Stablecoin Settlement Options

Stripe, as a payment service provider, often collaborates with acquirers or undertakes settlement functions independently. If a proprietary Blockchain is introduced, merchants may choose to settle sales revenue in USD stablecoins, which is particularly significant for merchants with high demand for USD but limited access.

3. User Wallet Service

Stripe has established the infrastructure to create wallets for users through its acquisition of Privy. Although the current focus is on the merchant side, there is potential to provide personal users with an easy-to-use wallet that supports payments and other Web3 financial activities by combining its own Blockchain and Privy services.

4. Customer Stablecoin Payment Options

Currently, Stripe mainly supports traditional payment methods such as credit cards and bank accounts. If Web3 wallets (provided by Stripe or third parties) are supported, customers will be able to choose to make payments using stablecoins.

Ideal Scenario

1. Direct payment between customers and merchants.

Payments made via credit card or bank account rely on traditional financial networks. If the Stripe Blockchain supports users to pay merchants directly in stablecoins, it is expected to bypass issuing banks and card organizations, significantly improving settlement speed and reducing costs. However, it is important to note that on-chain payment cancellation or refund mechanisms are relatively complex and require the introduction of a comprehensive保障机制.

2. Subscription services based on micropayments

Blockchain has the capability for micropayments and streaming subscriptions. Currently, subscriptions are mostly billed on a monthly or yearly basis, while the Stripe blockchain supports per-minute billing models, enabling automatic settlement based on actual usage time, bringing a new business model for service providers and consumers.

3. The DeFi Utilization of Short-Term Deposits

The current payment system has a long settlement cycle, partly due to the need to deal with issues such as fraud, cancellations, and refunds. Even if customers are supported to pay merchants directly with stablecoins, some funds may still need to temporarily remain in the Stripe Blockchain.

These short-term deposits will form a large liquidity pool that can be used for DeFi protocols, lending markets, or bond investments, thereby enhancing capital efficiency and generating additional returns.

Conclusion

After long-term attention to the stablecoin industry and observation of the relevant ecosystem, it is not difficult to find that the rumors about Stripe launching its own Blockchain mainnet are indeed quite intriguing. So far, many payment giants have only regarded Blockchain and stablecoins as supplementary features of their traditional businesses. If Stripe truly releases its own Blockchain mainnet, it may mark an important beginning for the paradigm shift in payment systems.

In the past, Stripe's main role was as a payment gateway or acquirer, but once the Blockchain is built, it may simultaneously assume the functions of both issuer and card organization at a technical level. More importantly, the Stripe Blockchain has the potential to comprehensively enhance payment efficiency by leveraging Blockchain technology, expanding new functionalities that traditional systems find difficult to reach, such as micro-payment-based streaming subscriptions and automated management of short-term idle funds.

Currently, payment systems are on the edge of a blockchain-driven wave of innovation. Regardless of whether the rumors are true, any blockchain-related actions from Stripe could have a profound impact on the landscape of the payment industry. Whether we will see an era where blockchain reshapes payment infrastructure remains to be seen.