Meta, founded by Mark Zuckerberg, will enter the stablecoin market in the second half of 2026, with Stripe emerging as a leading core partner candidate.

Meta Platforms is once again pursuing an ambitious expansion into the payments sector under the leadership of founder Mark Zuckerberg. According to multiple sources, this major U.S. tech company aims to fully launch a payment service utilizing stablecoins in the second half of 2026, leveraging its asset size and global user base.

Meta’s Asset and Payment Infrastructure Rebuilding Strategy

Meta’s current initiative, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is not just about technology adoption but a strategic decision to maximize the value of its social platform assets with over 3 billion users. Sources indicate that Meta has approached several third-party companies to support stablecoin-based payment management, planning to deploy and integrate new wallet features.

If realized, this move would enable the utilization of social network assets built on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp to facilitate payment channels that bypass traditional banking systems—from international remittances to everyday transactions. While reminiscent of the original Libra project, this approach is more pragmatic and grounded in current realities.

Collaboration with Stripe: A Cautious Approach by Third Parties

Stripe has emerged as the leading candidate for a key partner in this plan. Multiple sources suggest that Meta has sent Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to several companies, with Stripe being the most likely to implement a pilot project for stablecoins.

Last year, Stripe acquired Bridge, a company specializing in stablecoins, establishing a technical foundation in this area. Additionally, Stripe CEO Patrick Collison joined Meta’s board in spring 2025, deepening the strategic relationship between the two companies. An insider noted, “Meta wants to execute this project but doesn’t want to take the lead themselves,” indicating a desire to mitigate regulatory risks by leveraging third-party expertise.

From the 2019 Failure to 2026 Expansion: A Dramatic Shift in Regulatory Environment

In 2019, Zuckerberg’s Libra stablecoin project faced strong opposition from regulators despite its ambitious scope. The backlash was fueled by the loss of trust following the Cambridge Analytica scandal and stiff resistance from U.S. lawmakers.

Although the Libra Association revised its plans in 2020 to focus on a multi-currency stablecoin, the project was ultimately canceled in early 2022, and related assets were sold off.

Today, however, the regulatory landscape in the U.S. has changed dramatically. Under the Trump administration, blockchain regulations including the GENIUS Act were promoted, establishing clear legal frameworks for stablecoin issuers for the first time—conditions that did not exist during Libra’s era. Regulators are now in the process of developing rules for issuers, opening the door for new entrants.

Against this backdrop, Meta has adopted a strategy of relying on third-party providers like Stripe rather than issuing its own stablecoin, aiming to reduce regulatory risks while entering the stablecoin market.

Intensified Competition in the Social Media Payment Space

Meta’s move highlights the growing competition in digital payments. Elon Musk’s platform X and the messaging app Telegram are both aiming to become “super apps,” integrating payment features within their ecosystems.

During the Libra project, Meta envisioned a similar super app concept—integrating peer-to-peer payments via WhatsApp and commerce functions on Facebook and Instagram to create a seamless payment ecosystem. The 2026 initiative can be seen as a step toward realizing that long-standing vision.

With improved regulatory frameworks and partnerships with third parties, Zuckerberg’s vision appears increasingly feasible. While Meta, Stripe, and Bridge have yet to make official statements, industry interest is rapidly intensifying.