Stripe has officially launched stablecoin payments for subscriptions, a major expansion of its crypto payments offering aimed at helping AI companies and global digital platforms manage recurring billing with ease.
Initially available in private preview for U.S.-based businesses, the feature supports subscription payments in USD Coin (USDC) across the Base and Polygon blockchains. Stripe says the move addresses growing demand from businesses using stablecoins for faster, lower-cost cross-border transactions.
“We built a smart contract that resolves a fundamental limitation of blockchain-based payments — requiring users to manually sign each transaction,” explained Jennifer Lee, Product Manager for Crypto Payments at Stripe. “Customers can now save their wallet and authorize it for recurring payments, just like any other payment method.”
Why Stablecoins for Subscriptions?
Stablecoins like USDC offer price stability while maintaining the speed and global accessibility of blockchain. For companies with subscription or usage-based revenue models — including AI startups, SaaS platforms, and digital service providers — this creates an opportunity to expand into new markets without banking friction.
Stripe’s new capability makes it possible to:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Recurring Stablecoin Billing | Accept USDC subscription payments directly from crypto wallets. |
| Fiat Settlement | Convert stablecoin payments into local fiat currencies automatically. |
| Unified Dashboard | Manage fiat and stablecoin subscriptions within Stripe Billing and Optimized Checkout Suite. |
| Smart Contract Automation | Enables wallets to authorize recurring transactions securely without re-signing each payment. |
| Wide Wallet Support | Compatible with over 400 crypto wallets. |
Driving Adoption Among AI and Web3 Businesses
AI companies — particularly those offering API-based services and tokenized compute credits — have been early adopters of crypto payments due to their global customer base. With this update, such firms can now offer predictable subscription billing in stablecoins, a crucial capability for SaaS-like AI infrastructure platforms.
“This update is a natural fit for AI developers who monetize usage via recurring billing,” said a Stripe spokesperson. “It simplifies cross-border revenue collection while maintaining the flexibility of crypto rails.”
Seamless Fiat Integration and Cross-Border Reach
The platform allows businesses to receive payments from anywhere in the world, even when their customers pay in stablecoins. Subscriptions can be billed in USDC and automatically settled in fiat, enabling companies to manage both types of revenue within a single Stripe dashboard.
This integration builds on earlier milestones:
| Timeline | Milestone |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Stripe launched Stablecoin Financial Accounts, enabling businesses to hold balances in USDC and send or receive payments globally via ACH and SEPA. |
| June 2025 | Stripe President John Collison confirmed that banks are exploring how to integrate stablecoins into their financial products. |
| October 2025 | Stripe adds subscription support, closing the loop for recurring crypto payments. |
Building the Future of Payments Infrastructure
The introduction of stablecoin subscriptions reinforces Stripe’s long-term commitment to bridging fiat and blockchain ecosystems. The company’s Stablecoin Financial Accounts and Optimized Checkout Suite now form an end-to-end digital payments stack that can handle one-time, recurring, and on-chain transactions seamlessly.
Early pilot data shows strong adoption: within 24 hours of enabling USDC checkout earlier this year, Stripe merchants saw purchases from customers in more than 70 countries.
Expert Perspectives
Jennifer Lee, Stripe Crypto Payments:
“We’re making stablecoin payments behave just like traditional card or bank payments — seamless, secure, and fully automated.”
John Collison, Stripe Co-Founder and President:
“Banks are increasingly interested in stablecoin integration. Stripe is building the connective tissue between traditional finance and digital assets.”
Fintech Analyst, PYMNTS Intelligence:
“Stripe’s move highlights the maturation of stablecoins from speculative assets to real infrastructure for business continuity — especially for global digital platforms.”
Why It Matters?
The rise of AI-driven and cross-border businesses has created a need for flexible, programmable payment infrastructure. Stripe’s move positions it as a leading player in the next generation of payments, where stablecoins serve as a global settlement layer for subscriptions, services, and API usage.
| Challenge | How Stripe’s Stablecoin Subscriptions Help |
|---|---|
| Complex international billing | Instant global payments over blockchain |
| Manual approval of recurring crypto payments | Smart contract-based automation |
| Multi-currency reconciliation | Unified dashboard with fiat and stablecoin management |
| Customer trust and ease-of-use | Wallet authorization works like saving a card on file |
FAQs
1. What blockchains are supported?
Stripe’s stablecoin subscription feature supports Base and Polygon networks during its initial rollout.
2. Which stablecoin is used?
The feature uses USD Coin (USDC) for payments and settlements.
3. Who can access the service now?
Currently, the capability is available in private preview to U.S.-based businesses using Stripe Billing.
4. How does the smart contract work?
It allows customers to authorize their wallets once for recurring payments, removing the need to manually re-approve every transaction.
5. Can businesses mix fiat and crypto subscriptions?
Yes. Businesses can manage both fiat and stablecoin billing together within Stripe’s unified dashboard.