TL;DR:

• Apple, Airbnb, X (formerly Twitter), and Google are in early-stage discussions with crypto firms to adopt stablecoin-based payments.
  
• The conversations follow Circle’s explosive IPO, with its stock up 40% post-listing.
  
• Stablecoin payments reached $27.6 trillion in 2024, overtaking Visa and Mastercard in volume.
  
• Analysts expect stablecoins to hit $2 trillion in market cap by 2028.
  
• Potential regulatory clarity via the GENIUS Act is accelerating corporate interest.
  

Stablecoin Surge: Apple, X, and Airbnb Eye Crypto Payments as Circle Shares Jump 40%

Stablecoins are fast becoming the next frontier in digital finance — and some of the world’s largest tech companies are taking notice. Following Circle’s blockbuster IPO that sent its shares soaring 40% on Friday, several major firms are now in early discussions with crypto partners to integrate stablecoin payments into their platforms.

According to Fortune, companies including Apple, Airbnb, Google, and X (formerly Twitter) are exploring stablecoins as a cost-efficient, faster alternative to traditional card-based transactions.

“Stablecoins present a compelling opportunity to bridge traditional finance and blockchain infrastructure,” a crypto executive told Fortune.

Why Stablecoins Are Now Impossible to Ignore

Unlike volatile cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies, most commonly the U.S. dollar. This makes them ideal for low-friction, high-volume financial operations.

Stablecoin Market Volume (2024)

This surge in volume has caught the attention of mainstream players, especially amid the regulatory tailwinds forming in the U.S. crypto landscape.

Circle’s IPO Sets Off the Stampede

The tipping point came Thursday when Circle (CRCL), the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, debuted on public markets. Its share price more than doubled from the raised offering price, and then surged another 40% the following day.

The IPO has sparked fresh institutional confidence in crypto payments, particularly stablecoins, which offer real-time settlement, lower fees, and borderless usability.

“The sound barrier for stablecoins was never technical — it was regulatory,” a fintech analyst told TechCrunch. “Now that hurdle is easing, and the big players are racing in.”

Apple, X, Airbnb: Who’s Doing What?

Apple

Apple has reportedly been in talks with crypto firms since January 2025, focusing on how stablecoins might be embedded into Apple Pay and its broader payments ecosystem. This integration could help Apple reduce dependence on credit card networks like Visa and Mastercard.

X (formerly Twitter)

X is said to be exploring stablecoin support in partnership with Stripe, which already supports crypto payouts in USDC. Elon Musk, an outspoken crypto supporter, may be leveraging the platform’s social-commerce ambitions to push for decentralized payments.

Airbnb

Airbnb is examining stablecoins as a way to lower the interchange fees it pays to financial intermediaries. According to Fortune, Airbnb is working with Worldpay to scope out technical feasibility.

Political Climate Favors Crypto Expansion

Much of this momentum can be traced to a more crypto-friendly policy stance under President Trump’s administration. Regulatory uncertainty plagued the industry during Biden’s tenure, but Trump’s return — along with bipartisan traction for legislation — has eased concerns.

The most consequential pending law is the GENIUS Act, which aims to create clear federal guidelines for stablecoin issuance and backing. Analysts believe its passage would be a “watershed moment” for mass adoption.

What Comes Next?

Analysts now forecast that the stablecoin market cap could grow to $2 trillion by 2028, from under $150 billion today. Much of that growth will be powered by B2B adoption, e-commerce integrations, and cross-border payroll solutions.

Boasting near-zero settlement times and significant savings in transaction fees, stablecoins are no longer a speculative sideshow — they are poised to redefine how global payments are processed.

“It’s the same infrastructure shift we saw with cloud computing,” a Worldpay executive said. “Once it proves scalable, everyone migrates.”

Closing Thoughts

While it’s still early days, the interest from giants like Apple and Airbnb signals that stablecoins have entered the enterprise agenda. If current momentum holds and legislative clarity arrives, stablecoin payments could become as common as swiping a card — but faster, cheaper, and more secure.