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Apple, X, and Airbnb are exploring stablecoin payments to reduce fees, signaling a shift toward on-chain settlements that could transform digital transactions.
Many tech companies in Silicon Valley, including Apple, X (formerly Twitter), Airbnb, and Google, are exploring the use of stablecoins in their payment systems. This initiative aims to facilitate faster, cheaper, and more efficient payments, particularly for cross-border transactions.
A report from Fortune states that these companies are in early talks with cryptocurrency firms and payment processors, such as Stripe and Worldpay. They aim to explore how stablecoins can be integrated into their existing payment systems.
Behind the Shift: Cost, Efficiency, and Policy Tailwinds
Companies like Airbnb and X are interested in lowering credit card processing fees and improving their treasury operations. Airbnb has talked about using stablecoin for payments with Worldpay, while X is exploring the possibility of adding stablecoin features to its payments service, X Money, through a partnership with Stripe.
Google Cloud is also testing stablecoin use with PayPal’s PYUSD for some business clients. This means that payments will be made in stablecoins, even though the invoicing and accounting systems will remain unchanged.
Rich Widmann, who leads Web3 strategy at Google Cloud, stated, “This may be the most significant advancement in payments since SWIFT,” highlighting the potential impact of this change.
From Skeptical Beginnings to a Thriving, Serious Interest
Tech companies are becoming increasingly open to stablecoin technology following the Trump administration’s shift in approach to cryptocurrencies. The administration has called for less strict rules on digital assets. A key moment was Stripe’s purchase of the stablecoin startup Bridge earlier this year, which grabbed the industry’s attention.
Meta and Uber are also showing new interest. Meta is trying to restart its digital currency plans after putting them on hold. Meanwhile, Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, recently said the company is looking into using stablecoins for international payments.
A Parallel Push: Private Innovation vs Public CBDCs
The push for stablecoins is occurring simultaneously with governments worldwide developing Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Experts believe that competition between private and public digital currencies could alter the way global payments are made in the future.
As on-chain assets become more popular, tech companies are attempting to lead a payments revolution that could finally reveal the true benefits of blockchain technology.
