Stripe says stablecoin adoption soars despite 'crypto winter'

CoinDesk

by Krisztian Sandor

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Stripe highlights a significant shift in the cryptocurrency landscape, noting that while the broader market has faced challenges—referred to as "crypto winter"—stablecoin adoption is thriving. The company's stablecoin arm, Bridge, reported a quadrupling of transaction volumes last year, underscoring the growing utility and resilience of stablecoins in financial systems. This trend suggests that stablecoins are decoupling from traditional crypto market cycles, offering businesses and consumers a reliable payment solution. Stripe attributes this growth to the increasing focus on integrating crypto technologies into mainstream payments. Stablecoins, which are cryptocurrencies pegged to fiat currencies like the U.S. dollar, provide faster and cheaper cross-border transactions. The company's Bridge platform has become a key player in this space, while its blockchain project, Tempo, is set to launch soon after successful testing phases. Tempo aims to enhance programmable payments, aligning with Stripe's strategy to bring crypto innovations into traditional payment networks. The decoupling of stablecoin usage from market volatility has led to their widespread adoption, particularly in business-to-business transactions. According to a report by McKinsey and Artemis, stablecoin payment volumes doubled last year, reaching approximately $400 billion. This growth is driven by the need for efficient and cost-effective cross-border payments, which stablecoins effectively address. Stripe's emphasis on stablecoins reflects a broader

Verticals

cryptofinance

Originally published on CoinDesk on 2/24/2026