Stripe has reintroduced cryptocurrency payments for U.S. merchants, allowing them to accept USDC through Ethereum, Solana, and Polygon.
This move marks a significant return for the payment processing giant, which first supported Bitcoin payments in 2014 but discontinued the feature in 2018 due to issues like slow transaction times and high fees.
Now, businesses can process USDC transactions for customers across over 150 countries, receiving the equivalent in dollars.
Stripe’s product lead, Jeff Weinstein, noted that the new payment integration works with various checkout options and will soon support subscriptions. Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire expressed excitement over the launch.
Although Stripe initially aimed for a summer rollout, delays pushed it to October. The company plans to expand USDC payment capabilities to more countries in the future.
Stripe has also been active in the crypto space, enabling its European operations to allow online stores to incorporate widgets for purchasing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Additionally, a partnership with Coinbase was established to integrate the exchange’s Layer 2 network, Base, into its crypto payout products, allowing users to buy digital assets using credit cards or Apple Pay.
Ethereum (ETH) has made a notable recovery, surging over 12% since it dropped to $2,460 on February 3, following the broader downturn in the cryptocurrency market.
XRP’s price remains stuck in a tight range as investors assess the fallout from the Bybit hack. Despite a broader selloff, the token has managed to hold above $2.5, though its recent price action suggests uncertainty.
A well-known crypto analyst sees potential in the Solana-based memecoin dogwifhat (WIF) but remains cautious.
CryptoQuant’s Ki Young Ju has recently declared the onset of altcoin season, but this time, things are different. Instead of the typical flow of capital from Bitcoin into altcoins, Ju points out that it’s stablecoin holders driving the action.