Stripe's Potential Blockchain Ambitions: The Payment Giant May Launch Its Own L1 Network

Recently, the crypto community has been buzzing with rumors that payment service giant Stripe may launch its own L1 Blockchain network. Following the acquisition of Bridge and Privy, this could be its next move in the blockchain space. As a global leader in payment services, Stripe plays a key role in the payment ecosystem, ensuring the efficiency and security of transactions.

If Stripe really launches the L1 mainnet, it could bring about the following changes:

1. Basic Scenario: Supports stablecoin payments, deeply integrates Stripe L1 with customer payment and merchant settlement systems.

2. Ideal scenario: Completely reshape the payment system, including:

   • Bypass traditional financial institutions for direct payments
   • Implement an innovative subscription model based on micropayments
   • Generate additional income through short-term deposit balances

If Stripe launches its own L1 network, it is expected to partially replace the role of traditional financial institutions, which could become an important turning point for the payment industry.

Analysis of the Possibility of Stripe Launching L1 Mainnet

Although there is currently no official confirmation, multiple sources have mentioned that Stripe may launch an L1 Blockchain. Considering Stripe's mission to "enhance internet GDP" and its strategy focused on building global economic infrastructure, blockchain technology undoubtedly holds great appeal.

Stripe's recent series of actions seems to be paving the way for a possible L1 network:

1. In February 2025, acquired the stablecoin infrastructure company Bridge for approximately $1.1 billion.

2. In May 2025, the "Stablecoin Financial Account" service will be launched at the Stripe Sessions conference, supporting businesses in 101 countries to hold and transfer USDC and USDB.

3. In June 2025, acquired the Web3 wallet infrastructure startup Privy, gaining key technologies such as wallet creation and transaction signing.

These measures have built a complete stablecoin infrastructure and wallet technology stack for Stripe, making the launch of its own Blockchain mainnet seem like a natural next step.

The Transformation That Stripe L1 May Bring

If Stripe really launches the L1 mainnet, it may bring about the following changes:

Basic Scenario

1. Merchant stablecoin accounts are deeply integrated with Stripe L1 to enhance operational efficiency.

2. Provide merchants with stablecoin settlement options, which is particularly beneficial for merchants with high demand for USD but limited access.

3. Provide users with a simple and easy-to-use Web3 wallet service based on Privy technology.

4. Provide customers with stablecoin payment options, supporting Web3 wallet payments.

Ideal Scenario

1. Enable direct payments between customers and merchants, bypassing traditional financial institutions, thereby improving settlement speed and reducing costs.

2. Support for innovative subscription services based on micropayments, such as streaming subscriptions billed by the minute.

3. Use short-term deposits to participate in DeFi activities, enhance capital efficiency, and generate additional income.

Conclusion

If Stripe really launches its L1 mainnet, it could mark an important beginning for the paradigm shift in payment systems. This may not only allow Stripe to take on multiple roles of traditional financial institutions at the technical level, but also enhance payment efficiency comprehensively through Blockchain technology, opening up new functionalities that are difficult to achieve with traditional systems.

Regardless of whether the rumors are true or not, any major moves by Stripe in the blockchain space could have a profound impact on the payment industry's landscape. We may be standing on the eve of a blockchain-driven wave of payment innovation, and future developments are worth continuous attention.