Stripe Eyes $1B Acquisition of Stablecoin Platform Bridge to Bolster Digital Payment Strategy

Payment processing giant Stripe is in advanced talks to acquire Bridge, a stablecoin-focused fintech firm, in a deal reportedly valued at $1 billion, according to Bloomberg. The acquisition, if completed, would mark Stripe’s largest to date, though sources familiar with the matter indicate that both parties could still walk away from negotiations.

Bridge, co-founded by former Square and Coinbase executives Zach Abrams and Sean Yu, has developed a global payment network that integrates stablecoins like USDC and USDT into traditional financial systems. The Texas-based company has raised $58 million from prominent investors including Sequoia, Ribbit, Index Ventures, and Haun Ventures.

The potential acquisition aligns with Stripe’s recent re-entry into the cryptocurrency space. After a six-year hiatus, the company returned to crypto in April 2024, with co-founder John Collison noting that “crypto is finding real utility” as transaction speeds increase and costs decrease. The company recently launched its “Pay with Crypto” feature, enabling merchants in over 70 countries to accept stablecoin payments that settle as fiat currency.

Bridge’s infrastructure could significantly enhance Stripe’s crypto capabilities. The company’s technology powers cross-border payments and foreign currency exchanges for businesses, with notable partnerships including SpaceX for global treasury management and Bitso for business-to-business payments in Latin America.

For Bridge’s founders, a potential acquisition by Stripe could accelerate the mainstream adoption of stablecoin payments at a pace difficult to achieve as a standalone company. The deal would combine Bridge’s stablecoin expertise with Stripe’s extensive merchant network and payment infrastructure.