TL;DR

Stablecoin Momentum: Stripe reports Bridge transaction volume more than quadrupled as stablecoin payments doubled to about $400 billion, showing adoption decoupling from crypto market cycles.
Infrastructure Expansion: Bridge gained conditional approval to become a national bank and now supports bespoke stablecoin issuance, while Tempo, Stripe’s payments‑focused blockchain, is nearing mainnet launch after December testnet rollout.
Valuation Surge: Stripe processed $1.9 trillion in 2025, up 34% from 2024, and secured a $159 billion valuation through a tender offer backed by major investors, reflecting rising confidence in its financial infrastructure strategy.

Stripe’s latest annual letter paints a picture of a fintech giant riding a wave of stablecoin adoption even as broader crypto markets cool. The company said Bridge, its stablecoin orchestration platform acquired in 2024, saw transaction volume more than quadruple last year, reinforcing Stripe’s view that digital dollars are gaining real‑world traction independent of crypto cycles. The firm also highlighted progress on Tempo, the payments‑focused blockchain it is co‑developing with Paradigm, which is expected to launch its mainnet soon after entering public testing in December.

Stablecoin Payments Break From Crypto Market Cycles

Stripe said stablecoin usage is accelerating despite Bitcoin falling 50% from its October peak and declining 6% over 2025. Citing research from McKinsey and Artemis, the company noted stablecoin payment volume doubled to about $400 billion, with roughly 60% tied to business‑to‑business activity. The firm described this trend as evidence that stablecoins are becoming a practical tool for cross‑border transfers and programmable payments. Stripe framed the moment as a “stablecoin summer,” arguing that utility is now driving adoption more than speculation.

Bridge’s rapid growth underscores Stripe’s broader push into crypto infrastructure. The platform, acquired for $1.1 billion in late 2024, has since expanded its capabilities, including support for companies launching bespoke stablecoins through Open Issuance. Earlier this month, Bridge received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to become a federally chartered national bank, enabling it to custody crypto, issue stablecoins, and manage reserves. Stripe said these developments position Bridge as a foundational layer for future payment flows.

Tempo Blockchain Nears Mainnet Launch

Alongside Bridge, the company is advancing Tempo, a Layer 1 blockchain designed for payments. The network entered public testnet in December, and the company said the mainnet will launch “soon.” The company views Tempo as a way to deliver faster, cheaper settlement while integrating programmable features that traditional rails cannot support. Stripe emphasized that Tempo is being built with a focus on reliability and regulatory alignment.

Stripe processed $1.9 trillion in payments last year, up 34% from 2024, and said its revenue suite is on track to reach a $1 billion annual run rate. The company also announced a tender offer valuing it at $159 billion, supported by investors including Thrive Capital, Coatue, and a16z. Thrive Capital’s Kareem Zaki said Stripe has built the premier financial infrastructure stack for the internet economy. The valuation marks a sharp rise from late 2024, when the firm was valued at nearly $100 billion.

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Filed under: News - @ February 24, 2026 6:29 pm