Shopify Partners with Coinbase and Stripe to Enable USDC Stablecoin Payments for Merchants
Shopify is doubling down on crypto payments. The e-commerce giant has announced new partnerships with Coinbase and Stripe that will allow its merchants to accept payments in USDC, the U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin issued by Circle. The move is part of a broader push to simplify blockchain-based transactions for everyday commerce.
Announced Thursday, the integrations will give Shopify merchants in 34 countries access to stablecoin payments without the complexity typically associated with crypto. Through Stripe’s infrastructure, customers can pay in USDC on Coinbase’s Layer 2 blockchain Base, using popular crypto wallets. Meanwhile, merchants can choose to receive their payments in their local currency, seamlessly deposited into their bank accounts—no technical knowledge or token swapping required.
“Stripe has long handled the hard parts of payments so our merchants don’t have to,” said Shopify COO and VP of Product Kaz Nejatian. “Now they’re doing the same for stablecoins—making it simple for our merchants to meet booming global demand without wrestling with crypto infrastructure.”
Stablecoins Enter the Mainstream
The announcement reflects a growing maturity in the stablecoin space. USDC, the second-largest stablecoin by market cap, has steadily expanded its reach across new blockchain networks. It now plays an increasingly important role in the broader digital payments ecosystem.
According to Stripe, over $94 billion in stablecoin payments have been settled on its platform in the last two years. Monthly volumes jumped from under $2 billion to more than $6.3 billion, highlighting accelerating global adoption.
Authorization
Building for Real-World Use
Coinbase, in partnership with Shopify, is also launching the Commerce Payments Protocol, designed to handle the nuances of commercial crypto transactions. While peer-to-peer crypto payments are now fairly seamless, business transactions still lack standardized tools to manage multi-step processes like order fulfillment, refunds, and receipts.
“There’s a major gap in crypto: enabling real-world commerce,” Coinbase said in a statement. The new protocol aims to fix that, with support for more sophisticated payment flows tailored to the needs of merchants and shoppers.
The announcement comes amid a flurry of stablecoin developments. Circle, which issues USDC, recently filed to go public via the New York Stock Exchange. Stripe, meanwhile, acquired crypto wallet provider Privy, expanding its web3 footprint. Elsewhere, the XRP Ledger also announced native support for USDC this week.
Shopify’s involvement builds on its earlier blockchain efforts, including its 2023 integration with Solana Pay, signaling a continued interest in reshaping digital commerce using decentralized tech.