Will Stripe Enter the Blockchain Field? Analyzing the Payment Giant's Blockchain Strategy

Recently, the crypto community has been buzzing about a certain payment giant's intention to launch its own Blockchain network. After acquiring two Blockchain-related companies, launching a proprietary chain may be the next step in its strategy in the Blockchain field. As a global leading payment service provider, the company acts as a technical bridge between merchants, acquirers, card networks, and issuing banks, ensuring that transactions are efficient and secure.

If the mainnet is really launched, under basic scenarios it may support stablecoin payments, with deep integration of customer payments and merchant settlements; while in ideal scenarios, it could completely reshape the payment system, including:

1. Bypass direct payments with card organizations and banks;

2. Micropayment subscription model that traditional systems cannot achieve;

3. Generate income by holding a short-term deposit balance.

Currently, the company mainly operates as a payment gateway and acquiring institution. 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 in the payment industry.

Will the company really launch the Blockchain mainnet?

Rumors regarding the launch of a Blockchain have been raised by several observers in the crypto space. Although there has been no official confirmation yet, multiple sources have mentioned this matter. Similar to the introduction of stock tokenization features based on Layer 2 by a certain trading platform, this company could be the next major fintech player to enter the market.

The company's mission is to "enhance the Internet GDP", focusing on building global economic infrastructure to help startups to large enterprises manage online payments, operations, and growth. From this vision, Blockchain is undoubtedly a highly attractive technology.

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

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

• Hold two mainstream stablecoins;
• Deposit and withdraw stablecoins through traditional bank channels for USD and EUR transfers;
• Access and withdrawal of stablecoins on-chain through multiple mainstream Blockchain networks.

This means that businesses can easily access dollar-based stablecoins on the platform and perform efficient fiat currency deposits and withdrawals through a seamlessly integrated traditional banking system.

In addition, the company acquired a Web3 wallet infrastructure startup in June 2025, which provides features such as wallet creation based on email or SSO login, transaction signing, key management, and Gas abstraction. Combining the existing stablecoin infrastructure with wallet technology, launching its own Blockchain mainnet to achieve coordinated development of the system seems to be a natural progression.

What changes will be brought about by the launch of the Blockchain mainnet?

Although the launch of the Blockchain mainnet is still a rumor, if it becomes a reality, it could enable a series of financial services that were previously unattainable. Below are several conceptual directions based on existing businesses and potential expansions.

existing capabilities as a payment service provider

To understand what services the company can improve through Blockchain, one must first understand its current role. As one of the most well-known payment service providers, the company plays the role of a technological bridge between merchants, acquirers, card organizations, and issuing banks, ensuring a smooth and secure payment process. The main services include:

• Payment Gateway
• Supports multiple payment methods
• Fraud Detection and Security Assurance
• Multi-currency and international payment support
• Reporting and Analysis Tools
• Technical Integration and Operational Support
• Customer Experience Optimization
• Merchant Settlement Intermediary

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

The transformation that Blockchain networks may bring

If a blockchain network is launched, it may bring about the following changes:

Basic Scenario

1. Merchant Stablecoin Account and Blockchain Integration

The company currently offers stablecoin account services in 101 countries, allowing merchants to hold mainstream stablecoins and conduct deposits and withdrawals through traditional banking systems or on-chain networks. If a proprietary blockchain is launched, it is expected to further support deposits and withdrawals via its own chain, improving operational efficiency and expanding application scenarios.

2. Stablecoin Settlement Options

As a payment service provider, it often collaborates with acquirers or takes on 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

By acquiring wallet infrastructure companies, we have established the foundation to create wallets for users. Although the current focus is on the merchant side, if combined with our own Blockchain and wallet services, it may be possible to provide individual users with a simple and easy-to-use wallet that supports payments and other Web3 financial activities.

4. Customer Stablecoin Payment Options

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

Ideal Scenario

1. Direct payments between customers and merchants

Payments made through credit cards or bank accounts rely on traditional financial networks. However, if users are supported to pay merchants directly with 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 the on-chain payment cancellation or refund mechanism is relatively complex and requires the introduction of a comprehensive guarantee mechanism.

2. Subscription services based on micropayments

Blockchain has the capability for micropayments and streaming subscriptions. Currently, subscriptions are mostly billed monthly or annually, but the new blockchain can support a per-minute billing model, 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 address issues such as fraud, cancellations, and refunds. Even if customers are supported to pay merchants directly with stablecoins, some funds may still need to stay on the Blockchain for a short period.

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.

Final Thoughts

After long-term attention to the stablecoin industry and observing the related ecosystem, it is not difficult to find that the rumors about the company launching its own Blockchain mainnet are indeed quite intriguing. So far, many payment giants have only treated Blockchain and stablecoins as additional features of their traditional business. If the company truly releases its own Blockchain mainnet, it could mark an important beginning for the paradigm shift in payment systems.

In the past, the company's main role was as a payment gateway or acquirer, but once the blockchain is built, it may simultaneously assume the functions of both issuing banks and card organizations at a technical level. More importantly, the new blockchain has the potential to leverage blockchain technology to comprehensively enhance payment efficiency and expand 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. Whether the rumors are true or not, any blockchain-related actions from the company could have a profound impact on the landscape of the payment industry. It remains to be seen whether we will usher in an era where blockchain reshapes payment infrastructure.