Meta is re-entering the digital payments arena with a fundamentally different strategy. The company has announced a deep partnership with Stripe to embed a stablecoin-based wallet across its social platforms, completely sidelining the in-house token approach that defined its Libra project since 2019.
From Libra to Integration: Meta's Stablecoin Pivot
In 2019, Meta (then Facebook) unveiled Libra, an ambitious plan to create its own global cryptocurrency. The project was crippled by regulatory pushback from U.S. and European authorities. Now Meta is taking a different route: instead of minting its own token, it will rely on Stripe's proven stablecoin infrastructure. Stripe recently acquired stablecoin startup Bridge, boosting its technical stack. The partnership deepened in April 2025, when Stripe CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta's board.
Market Surges Past $300 Billion, Regulation Shifts
Meta's renewed push comes as the stablecoin market has exploded. When Libra was announced, the entire market was around $1 billion. Today it exceeds $300 billion. Regulatory winds have also turned: legislative proposals like the GENIUS Act — which aims to regulate stablecoins — are gaining traction, making it easier for big tech to operate compliantly.
Heavyweights Converge: PayPal, Visa Join the Race
Meta isn't the only tech giant chasing stablecoin payments. PayPal, Visa, and Stripe itself are accelerating their own blockchain-based financial services. Competition is intensifying, signaling that the shift toward crypto-native payment rails is no longer niche. Meta's wallet targets creators, cross-border transfers, and social commerce — all without the regulatory baggage of issuing its own token.
Meta leadership expects this integration-driven model to streamline payment flows in social and e-commerce settings while minimizing compliance risks across jurisdictions.
With billions of users across its apps, Meta's entry could be a major driver of stablecoin adoption. The outcome will hinge on regulatory clarity, partnership dynamics, and whether users embrace stablecoins for daily transactions.