Stripe Expands Global Reach with Stablecoin Accounts in 101 Countries

The fintech giant leverages its Bridge acquisition to bring stablecoin-powered financial services to emerging markets.

Date9: May 2025

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Stripe is going crypto-first — and global.
Just months after acquiring stablecoin infrastructure startup Bridge for $1.1 billion, Stripe has launched Stablecoin Financial Accounts across 101 countries, targeting businesses in regions with unstable currencies and expensive cross-border payments.
This rollout makes it possible for businesses to send, receive, and store value in USD-backed stablecoins like USDC and USDB, Bridge’s newly introduced stablecoin. The move signals Stripe’s serious push into Web3's financial infrastructure.

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Why Stablecoin Accounts Matter

In many emerging markets, local currencies are volatile, and banking systems can be costly or unreliable. By offering crypto-native but enterprise-ready financial accounts, Stripe allows businesses to:
Accept payments in crypto or fiat
Hold assets in stablecoins without managing their own wallets
Make global payments at lower costs and faster speeds
Bypass traditional banking friction and currency conversion risks

Crucially, companies don’t need to deal with crypto exchanges or self-custody. Stripe handles the backend and security — while Bridge remains an independent infrastructure provider under the Stripe umbrella.

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Introducing USDB: Bridge’s In-House Stablecoin

Launched alongside the account rollout, USDB is Bridge’s fully-reserved stablecoin.
Backed by bank accounts and BlackRock short-term money market funds
Offers free 1:1 conversions from USDC and other stablecoins
Partners include Fidelity and Apex for custody and fund administration

Bridge’s model stands out because developers using its infrastructure will earn a share of the stablecoin yield — promoting a more equitable financial model.

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Expanding the Ecosystem: Visa Integration

Bridge has also partnered with Visa, allowing developers to issue Visa cards linked to stablecoin accounts. This means businesses and users can hold stablecoins and spend them instantly through a global card network — while merchants receive local fiat.

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Regulatory Perspective

While regions like the EU limit stablecoin interest models, Stripe’s target markets are primarily countries where traditional payment rails are inefficient. These include many African, South American, and Southeast Asian countries, though regions with strict crypto laws (e.g., Nigeria, South Africa) are excluded.
Bridge’s USDB revenue-sharing model aligns with U.S. and global regulations by rewarding developers instead of users directly — keeping it compliant in major jurisdictions.

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Conclusion

With this rollout, Stripe isn’t just dipping its toes into crypto — it’s redefining cross-border finance. Stablecoin accounts can reshape how global businesses transact, especially in markets underserved by legacy financial systems.
As infrastructure matures and regulation becomes clearer, tools like USDB and Bridge's APIs may play a key role in the next evolution of decentralized finance — one that’s fully integrated with real-world use cases.

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Tags: #Stripe #Stablecoins #USDC #USDB #Bridge #Visa #Fintech #Web3 #CryptoPayments #EmergingMarkets #DeFi #DigitalAssets