Apple, X, Google, and Airbnb eye stablecoin integration to cut transaction fees and streamline fast, efficient cross-border payments.
Fortune reported on Friday that major technology companies, such as Apple, X, Airbnb, and Google, have begun preliminary discussions with crypto companies to assess the integration of stablecoins. The report cited sources with insight into the discussions.
Tech Titans Apple, X, Google, Airbnb Explore Stablecoin Payment
Rich Widmann, the head of web3 strategy at Google Cloud, has verified that the company is investigating the potential of stablecoin on its platform.
The tech titans are investigating stablecoins to reduce transaction costs and enhance cross-border payments. The prospective integration for X may be consistent with Elon Musk’s initiative to incorporate a payments layer into his “every app.”
Musk has verified that X is collaborating with Visa to develop X Money, which is designed to facilitate peer-to-peer payments by integrating debit cards with digital wallets.
Fortune was informed by sources that X is actively exploring the possibility of integrating stablecoins into its X Money platform and is currently in discussions with Stripe regarding the potential integration. Senior software engineer Payam Abedi is presently overseeing the initiative, which was previously under the leadership of Patrick Traughber, the former head of consumer products.
Bloomberg reported last week that Stripe is also in preliminary discussions with banks to investigate the integration of stablecoins into their services following its acquisition of Bridge.
Exploration has been ongoing for Airbnb since early 2025, with discussions involving payment processor Worldpay, which recently disclosed stablecoin payout capabilities through its partner BNVK.
According to sources, Apple has been in discussions regarding the incorporation of stablecoins into its payments infrastructure since early this year. These discussions have included talks with Circle’s senior director, Matt Cavin.
The tech industry’s interest in incorporating stablecoins has increased as the United States transitions to a more supportive crypto policy environment under President Trump. The GENIUS Act is now recognized as a critical legislative initiative that aims to establish a regulatory framework for stablecoins.
The re-engagement of Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta with stablecoin development for international payments is motivated by evolving US regulations. The company is currently investigating a stablecoin solution to enhance the efficiency of creator compensation, particularly on Instagram, as per an earlier report from Fortune.
Uber’s CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, disclosed at the Bloomberg Tech Summit this week that the company is investigating the potential of stablecoins as a payment method. Khosrowshahi has previously expressed an openness to adopting crypto assets if they prove beneficial, even though Uber is still in its study phase.
Google Cloud has entered the implementation phase, accepting PYUSD payments from two users, and is among the tech giants contemplating stablecoin adoption.
“It’s pretty clear that this is probably one of the biggest upgrades to payments since the SWIFT network,” said Widmann.
Google announced its intention to integrate “Sign in with Google” into Bitcoin wallets earlier this year. The objective is to streamline user access and connect web2 applications with blockchain technology.
“While crypto payments aren’t something we’re focused on integrating into the platform in the near future, we’re always looking at all aspects of payments for ways to improve our community’s experience with it, including developments in digital assets and their use cases,” an Airbnb spokesperson said.
