Key Highlights:
- Stablecoin transaction volume doubled in 2025, driven by cross-border payments and e-commerce settlements with lower costs and faster execution.
- Stripe’s Bridge platform recorded a fourfold jump in stablecoin usage, even as broader crypto markets faced a downturn.
- The company is expanding blockchain and AI-driven payment infrastructure, with Tempo and global partnerships supporting future transaction scale.
Financial services platform, Stripe, has observed a big increase in stablecoin transaction volumes in 2025. Stripe said in its most recent annual letter that stablecoins have become the pillar of global finance, and that the most common use cases are cross-border payments and e-commerce settlements. Over the last year, stablecoin transaction volume has become 2x, according to the company.
For practical use, businesses are using these tools. E-commerce platforms reported about 40% lower payment costs and much faster settlement times when compared with traditional payment rails. The need for faster global payments and simpler financial workflows has fueled this shift.
Stripe: Stablecoin Payments On the Rise
Market analysts say better regulation and infrastructure have made stablecoins more viable for daily use. A testament to this notion is how rapidly traditional bank wires are being replaced in many cases. Faster settlement and lower fees have made stablecoins an attractive option for freelancers, logistics firms, and online marketplaces that rely on cross-border transfers.
Stripe’s own infrastructure has also played a role in this growth. Its Bridge platform, acquired in 2024, recorded a fourfold rise in stablecoin transaction volume in 2025. The growth came during a period when global crypto markets saw a downturn.
The company highlighted the growing use of smart contracts linked to stablecoins. These tools allow businesses to automate payments once preset conditions are fulfilled. In practice, this means invoices can be settled automatically and supply chain payments can be triggered without manual processing. Businesses benefit from reduced administrative work and faster financial cycles.
Stripe’s annual letter pointed to a wider change in how companies view digital assets. Stablecoins are being used for operational needs such as payroll, vendor payments, and settlement across borders. The focus has shifted toward efficiency and reliability.
Market response to these developments has been tied to Stripe’s broader expansion into blockchain-based infrastructure. The firm has introduced Tempo, a payments-focused blockchain to handle high volumes of transactions, including those driven by artificial intelligence systems. The company is also working with partners such as OpenAI and Microsoft to integrate AI tools into payment workflows.
Also, Stripe’s Revenue suite, which includes billing, invoicing, and tax tools, is expected to reach a $1 billion annual run rate this year. At the same time, businesses using Stripe processed $1.9 trillion in payments in 2025, a 34% increase from the previous year. This volume represents around 1.6% of global GDP, according to the company.
The company also saw strong growth among new businesses joining its platform. More than half of these companies are based outside the US. Many of them generate revenue globally from the start, with a growing share coming from markets outside their home countries and outside the top ten global economies.
Investors have continued to back Stripe’s expansion. The firm has agreed to provide liquidity to current and former employees through a tender offer that values the company at $159 billion. Investors involved include Thrive Capital, Coatue, and a16z.
Looking ahead, analysts are closely watching how Stripe’s blockchain infrastructure will handle future transaction volumes. The company has warned that scaling blockchain systems for AI-driven commerce will be a technical challenge. To address this, Stripe is testing Tempo with major firms such as Visa and Shopify to ensure it can support large-scale, compliance-ready payment flows. Stripe’s AI-based commerce tools are still in early trials.
Also Read: Stablecoins Surge: $312B Market, Neobanks Fuel Real-World Use
