TLDR;
- Major tech firms are eyeing stablecoin integration to reduce transaction fees and boost global payment efficiency.
- Apple, X (formerly Twitter), Google, and Airbnb are reportedly in early talks with crypto companies and payment providers.
- Stripe’s acquisition of blockchain firm Bridge and growing regulatory clarity have accelerated interest in stablecoin adoption.
- Choosing the right stablecoin remains a challenge amid regulatory uncertainty and rapid institutional expansion.
Apple, X, Google and Airbnb are in exploratory discussions with crypto firms as they consider adopting stablecoins in their payment systems, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move is driven largely by a shared goal to reduce cross-border transaction fees and simplify global remittances, particularly in regions where traditional banking infrastructure lags or costs remain high.
Stablecoins, or cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollarare increasingly being seen as more than just digital cash. They are evolving into viable tools for streamlining complex payment networks, potentially replacing legacy systems such as SWIFT for certain use cases.
Stablecoins Enter the Corporate Mainstream
Momentum behind stablecoin integration has been gaining rapidly in 2025. Stripe’s $1.1 billion acquisition of the blockchain infrastructure firm Bridge has brought new legitimacy to the sector. Chris Ahn, a partner at Haun Ventures and early investor in Bridge, noted that while stablecoins are not new, “we’ve finally put all the pieces together.”
Google Cloud’s head of Web3 strategy, Rich Widmann, emphasized the transformative potential of stablecoins, calling them the most significant upgrade to payments since the creation of SWIFT. He also confirmed that Google has already processed pilot transactions using PayPal’s PYUSD.
Airbnb, while not yet rolling out any crypto-based payments, is reportedly studying the space closely. The company has been in touch with Worldpay to assess whether stablecoins could help lower the often hefty fees charged by traditional card networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
X and Apple Tiptoe into Crypto Integration
X, the social platform owned by Elon Musk, is looking at incorporating stablecoins into its developing payments ecosystem, X Money. Stripe is again in the picture here, potentially acting as a bridge between the platform and stablecoin infrastructure. While no firm timelines have been set, sources indicate that discussions are active and serious.
Apple’s involvement has been less public but no less significant. Executives at the tech giant have reportedly held discussions with Circle, the issuer of USDC, regarding strategic partnerships in digital payments. The nature of these talks remains undisclosed, but they signal growing institutional interest in the stablecoin space.
Fragmented Stablecoin Market Poses Hurdles
Despite growing interest, these tech companies face a critical decision, choosing which stablecoin to adopt. Tether (USDT) remains dominant with over $154 billion in circulation but continues to face scrutiny from US regulators. USDC, with a market cap of around $61 billion, is seen as more compliant but recently underwent corporate changes following Circle’s public listing.
Other contenders like PayPal’s PYUSD and newer entrants such as USD1 are still establishing their footing. Meanwhile, traditional financial giants are not standing still. A group of major US banks, including JPMorgan and Citi, is reportedly developing its own stablecoin, and institutions like Fidelity and ING are preparing token launches of their own.
As Meta revisits its digital currency ambitions, and payment titans like Visa and Mastercard deepen their partnerships in the stablecoin ecosystem, the stage is set for rapid adoption. Standard Chartered forecasts the stablecoin market to hit $2 trillion by 2028, echoing predictions from the US Treasury.
