Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is planning stablecoin comeback in the second half amid U.S. regulatory shift

CoinDesk

by Ian Allison

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram, is planning a return to the stablecoin space later this year. The tech giant aims to integrate a third-party vendor to administer stablecoin-based payments and introduce a new wallet, according to sources familiar with the plans. This move comes amid a shift in U.S. regulatory dynamics, which now provide a more favorable environment for stablecoin issuers. Meta is exploring partnerships with companies like Stripe, a long-time collaborator, to pilot its stablecoin initiative. By leveraging a third-party provider, Meta aims to bypass the risks associated with directly launching a stablecoin while still accessing the benefits of social commerce and cross-border payments. Meta’s interest in stablecoins is rooted in its previous attempt with the Libra project, which faced significant regulatory pushback and was eventually discontinued in 2022. The company now seeks to avoid direct involvement in stablecoin issuance by relying on external partners, a strategy that aligns with the current regulatory landscape. The U.S. has seen a shift in crypto regulations, including the GENIUS Act, which provides a legal framework for stablecoin issuers and encourages market entry. However, regulators are still in the early stages of developing comprehensive rules. This new approach could position Meta as a global leader in social commerce and digital payments, particularly if it can integrate its vast user base with a seamless payment system. The move also places Meta in direct competition with platforms like Elon Musk’s X and Telegram, which are similarly striving to become all-in-one “super apps.” By integrating stablecoins, Meta aims to reduce reliance on traditional banking fees and tap into the growing demand for affordable cross-border remittances. For readers interested in crypto, this development highlights the potential for major tech players to reshape the payments landscape. Meta’s strategic use of a third-party vendor underscores the importance of partnerships and regulatory navigation in the cryptocurrency space. If successful, this initiative could accelerate the adoption of stablecoins as a mainstream payment tool, benefiting both businesses and consumers by lowering transaction costs

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Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/24/2026