Tech Giants Explore Stablecoin Payments to Slash Fees, Boost Efficiency*
Apple, Airbnb, Google, and Elon Musk’s X are in early talks with crypto firms to integrate stablecoin payments, aiming to reduce transaction costs and streamline cross-border payments, Fortune reports.
The discussions come amid surging interest in stablecoins, underscored by Circle’s (CRCL) explosive IPO this week—shares have more than doubled since debut and rallied another 40% Friday. Stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, processed over $27.6 trillion in transactions in 2024, outpacing Visa and Mastercard combined, per the World Economic Forum.
### Key Developments:
- Apple has reportedly been in talks since January to incorporate stablecoins into Apple Pay and its broader payments ecosystem.
- X is discussing a partnership with Stripe to enable stablecoin transactions.
- Airbnb is exploring stablecoins to minimize fees paid to card networks like Visa and Mastercard, with talks underway with Worldpay since early 2025.
### Why Now?
The regulatory landscape is shifting, with Donald Trump’s pro-crypto stance reducing corporate hesitation. Additionally, the anticipated GENIUS Act—expected to provide clear stablecoin regulations—could further accelerate adoption. Analysts project the stablecoin market could reach $2 trillion by 2028.