Apple, X, and Airbnb Explore Stablecoin Transactions – Could Major Tech Companies Move Away from Card Fees for Onchain Payments?

Key Takeaways:

• Apple, X, Airbnb, and other prominent technology companies are in preliminary discussions with cryptocurrency firms to incorporate stablecoin payments.
• Payment processors such as Stripe and Worldpay have been contacted to facilitate back-end stablecoin transactions.
• Sources within the industry indicate that companies are evaluating compliance risks associated with stablecoin issuers like Tether and USDC.
• Executives view stablecoins as a means to transform both corporate treasury strategies and digital payment systems.

According to a report from Fortune published on June 6, Apple, X, and Airbnb are engaged in initial discussions with cryptocurrency companies regarding the integration of stablecoins into their payment systems.

The discussions, which reportedly also involve Google and Uber, center on utilizing dollar-pegged tokens to lower transaction costs and enhance the efficiency of international settlements. The report referenced sources who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the negotiations.

Tech Giants Experiment with New Settlement Options

Fortune reports that Stripe, Worldpay, and other payment processors have been approached to offer back-end support for stablecoin settlements.

Airbnb has conducted internal talks with Worldpay regarding the viability of such integrations, while X is considering adding stablecoin capabilities to its payments application, X Money, potentially in collaboration with Stripe.

An executive from a cryptocurrency firm mentioned in the report stated that companies are evaluating the risk profiles of various stablecoins prior to making integration choices. Tether’s compliance history and USDC’s changing corporate structure were highlighted as factors affecting their discussions.

“[Stablecoins] are this old idea, but finally I think we’ve got the right pieces coming together such that it’s really coming into fruition,” remarked Chris Ahn, a partner at Haun Ventures.

@Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, made a notable debut on the NYSE with its shares soaring as much as 160% during its trading launch. #Circle #NYSE https://t.co/EJQJ4Yy3m3

— Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) June 5, 2025

Rich Widmann, head of Web3 strategy at Google Cloud, noted that Google Cloud has already begun accepting stablecoin payments from select clients using PayPal’s PYUSD. He mentioned that invoices and accounting processes remain unchanged, with only the settlement currency being altered.

“It’s pretty clear that this is probably one of the biggest upgrades to payments since the SWIFT network,” Widmann stated. “There isn’t a separate offshoot for stablecoin payments within Cloud.”

Stablecoin Adoption Advances Alongside CBDC Efforts

The report further indicated that the interest from major technology companies aligns with recent policy changes in Washington under the Trump administration, which has instructed agencies to relax oversight of digital assets. Tech executives pointed to Stripe’s acquisition of stablecoin firm Bridge as a pivotal moment for discussions on enterprise adoption.

While major tech firms investigate stablecoin applications for efficiency, some governments are advancing their own digital currency initiatives. This concurrent development may influence how private and public systems interact in global payment frameworks.

Corporate interest in stablecoins reflects a consistent trend of evolving treasury strategies. Rather than maintaining excess reserves in fiat currencies, some companies are considering on-chain assets to enhance liquidity and facilitate cross-border settlements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How might stablecoin integration affect existing payment processors like Visa and Mastercard?

If stablecoins provide cheaper and quicker settlements, businesses may lessen their dependence on traditional card networks, potentially impacting processing fees and altering the competitive dynamics for established providers.

Why are firms cautious about which stablecoin to adopt?

Stablecoins vary in terms of legal frameworks, reserve transparency, and issuer reliability. Tether is under ongoing scrutiny regarding its reserve audits, while changes in USDC’s ownership could affect long-term trust and stability.

Could Big Tech companies eventually issue their own stablecoins?

Yes, however, legislative proposals in the U.S. have aimed to restrict non-financial entities from issuing digital currencies, suggesting that in-house stablecoins may encounter increased regulatory challenges.

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